Pelica Debrief
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Tyreke Evans Injury Deadlocks New Orleans Pelicans at Deadline

By Charles LaRocca

Jan 21, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans associate coach Darren Erman talks with forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans associate coach Darren Erman talks with forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Tyreke Evans (1) during the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Pistons at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The injury to Tyreke Evans greatly decreases the New Orleans Pelicans’ ability to make a substantial move at the trade deadline.

The buzz around the all star break for New Orleans Pelicans fans largely lies in the hope they make a deadline move that will identify the direction of this franchise moving forward.  Even the most die-hard fans will admit that some type of move needs to be made, but with the news that Tyreke Evans will miss the remainder of the season, it is now nearly impossible for him to be moved this season.

The Pelicans were already low in terms of coveted assets, and, now with Evans out with a third knee surgery, his value is at rock bottom. With Evans off the block, it is looking more and more like a deadline that will pass quietly for the Pelicans. Everyday it seems as if we are fed a new Ryan Anderson rumor, but with teams likely viewing him as a one year rental, its unlikely he nets a huge return. With Evans out of action once again, though, Anderson is likely the only player the Pelicans can move.

It is not that Tyreke is an extremely valuable asset, but he is a good player on a team friendly deal next season. If the Pelicans actively shopped him, it is likely they could have found someone to at least entertain an offer. Other than Jrue Holiday (who Pelicans are unlikely to move) no other guard demands much in the way of a return, which is why expectations should be tempered greatly when it comes to the deadline.

The Tyreke injury not only affects the on court product fans will see for the rest of the season; it directly impacts the options the Pelicans have when making a move. With the Pelicans reported interest in Greg Monroe, it was said the Bucks would like Jrue Holiday in return, which likely canned the negotiations. Holiday is really the only reliable lead guard on the team right now and a player the Pelicans are reportedly keen on for the future.

If Tyreke was still healthy, he may have been the piece to move the needle. A package of Tyreke and Ryan Anderson sounds a lot more enticing to a front office than Ryan Anderson and Omer Asik. Is Tyreke the difference in fetching a superstar? No, of course not. He could have make the difference when it comes to guys like Tobias Harris or Greg Monroe, though.

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Now the Pelicans are stuck in a situation where one of their most tradeable pieces and best players is at an all-time low in value. For those hoping earlier in the season to move Tyreke, it is now almost unimaginable that he gets moved at the deadline. Coming off of a year with three knee surgeries and going into a contract year, it is hard to envision a scenario where Tyreke does not finish out his current contract as a Pelican. As far as this season is concerned, it may be a quiet deadline for the Pelicans, but it will not be due to a lack of trying. It will be due to a lack of options.

Next: Tanking should not be the Pelicans' course of action

Going forward, the Pelicans need to address their wing players with Holiday and Evans seemingly locked in for at least the next season. Tying up more money in an already overcrowded front court may prove to be to costly and hurt other areas with more glaring needs. As far as Tyreke Evans is concerned, the Pelicans should focus on getting him healthy and keeping him healthy.

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