NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Indiana Pacers

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 25: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers helps Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers off of the flor during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 25, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Tyreke Evans

Tyreke rising up from the ashes to experience a career rebirth in his ninth year was one of the most cheerful stories of the 2018 season. Evans entered the league with high expectations in 2009. He was the second high profile one and done guy that played for Coach Calipari (shout out to Derrick Rose!) and he had a smooth game that looked immediately adaptable to the NBA level; Evans could attack the basket ferociously and create for teammates off the dribble.

After he won Rookie of the Year in 2010 (amidst a stacked 2009 Draft class that contains two MVPs and multiple All-NBA level players), Tyreke seemed poised to become a star. Despite all his talent and promise though, Evans never really put things together. He had great success as a driver and a playmaker early in his career, getting to rim, finishing at a high rate or and drawing fouls. But poor jump shooting and defense (and perhaps the trademark dysfunction of Sacramento) hindered his development.

Without the ball in his hands, Tyreke became a spacing liability. Nobody respected his jumper, so teams could play off of him on the perimeter. When injuries took their toll later in Tyreke’s career, he seemed like he was well on his way out of the league.

Then last season happened and by early February Evans was one of the hottest commodities in the league. As the Grizzlies season slipped away after the Mike Conley injury, Tyreke became the focal point of Memphis’ offense. He was legitimately fantastic in 2018, acting as the creative engine for the Grizzlies. Evans looked confident shooting the ball, unleashing an efficient 3-point shot for the first time in his career. He bombed almost six 3-pointers per game in 2018, which accounted for 35 percent of his shot diet. And Tyreke successfully converted 40 percent of those looks. Even if he’s not going to regress from that 40 percent threshold, teams have to guard him off the ball now. That matters, especially in a playoff setting.

Evans would be a great signing for the Pacers. He’s more than capable of running the offense when Victor Oladipo sits. The Pacers generally fell apart whenever Oladipo hit the bench last year, especially on offense. The team just didn’t have many reliable secondary creators. Tyreke would seamless fit Indiana’s need in that respect. Back in April we saw the Pacers struggle mightily when the Cavs trapped Oladipo in late game situations. Having numerous players that are confident ball handlers and passers renders such trapping strategies easily beatable.

Many teams around the league will be looking to add Tyreke this summer. Indiana has the resources to outbid most of them and reports by Chris Haynes indicate that the Pacers are willing to go after him. Tyreke’s market figures to settle around the full mid-level exception. If Indiana can snag him at that price or a bit higher, Evans would be a nice signing.

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