11:08am: While the Sixers have expressed interest in Evans, they’re hardly alone. The Celtics, Cavaliers, Pelicans, Thunder, Heat, and Rockets have all inquired on the veteran guard too, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who tweets that it will come down to which team is willing to meet the Grizzlies’ asking price.
10:48am: The Sixers have expressed trade interest in Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link), However, according to Stein, Memphis continues to seek a first-round pick in exchange for Evans, and Philadelphia is reluctant to surrender one.
Evans, 28, has been enjoying one of the best years of his NBA career in Memphis this season, averaging 19.5 PPG, 5.0 APG, and 5.0 RPG with a .458/.392/.799 shooting line so far. Based on his terrific production, the Grizzlies are said to be looking for a first-rounder in any deal.
However, while Evans’ expiring contract and modest salary ($3.29MM) make him an intriguing trade piece, they also reduce his value to some extent — he would likely be a rental for any team acquiring him, since he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Evans is on track to get much more expensive, and whichever team has him at season’s end won’t have his Bird rights, limiting that club’s ability to re-sign him.
Still, the Sixers represent an interesting potential trade partner for the Grizzlies, particularly since they could end up with multiple first-round picks this spring. Chris Herrington of The Commercial Appeal speculates (via Twitter) that perhaps Memphis could pry the 76ers’ own first-round pick away from Philadelphia if the Grizzlies are willing to take on Jerryd Bayless‘ contract, which has a guaranteed $8.58MM cap hit for 2018/19.
Although salary-matching rules would prevent Memphis from trading Evans straight up for Bayless, attaching a player like Ben McLemore or Brandan Wright to Evans would make it cap-legal, Herrington notes (via Twitter). James Ennis‘ contract would also work, but Ennis is a more valuable trade chip than McLemore or Wright, so the Grizzlies likely wouldn’t want to just throw him in for salary purposes.
If they get him it will be tough for Detroit to catch them for that 8th spot.
Wow, I can’t believe I am saying this, but I agree with you 100%
The Sixers could have drafted Dennis Smith, Jr.
No don’t want to do that, they wanted to trade up and get Markelle Fultz. Now, they want Evans?
I guess they are not happy with McConnell’s production!
I know I am not, but I am not in charge because if I were, I would have drafted Dennis Smith, Jr. and would have been content and this Evans’s story would not exist
Guarantee you didn’t want Smith on draft day, they could have drafted anyone on draft night.
Smith wouldn’t be as productive like he is on the mavs, with the mavs he can do whatever he wants. Sixers play trough Embiid and Simmons. Fultz was suppose to be the compliment to them
It’s just one of those revisionist fans that “would have” drafted Kyle Kuzma in the top 5. Just smile and nod and pat his head.
A Revisionist fan, who needs his head patted??
SMH and hardly true
I apologize. That wasn’t meant at you directly. I have just had a few too many conversations with other people that considered themselves geniuses at draft hindsight.
It’s okay, I jumped up and down about getting DSJ on Philly (dot) com when I could. They know I liked him, but you need a subscription to comment there now for the most part.
I did not want Simmons as the PG
I still think the idea is silly
The sixers would probably use tyreke Evans as the sg, and possibly have redick’s shooting off the bench
How many Guards do Houston need?
How ever many players are allowed on a roster minus on spot for Capela
A 1st is pretty steep. His stats are inflated this year bc there’s no one on that team but Gasol w Conley out most of the season.
Come to use Tyreke