New Orleans Pelicans: Three teams who could trade for Tyreke Evans

Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Quincy Acy (13) at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Quincy Acy (13) at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Joerger after the game against the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 116 – 95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Joerger after the game against the San Antonio Spurs in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 116 – 95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

The Memphis Grizzlies

Fresh off firing their fairly successful head coach and possibly losing their franchise point guard, it appears as if the Memphis Grizzlies will be pressing the reset button hard this offseason. This will most certainly be the case if the club allows Mike Conley to slip away in free agency (it has already been reported that he would like to explore other options, so the choice may not even be the team’s to make).

If Conley is truly out of the picture, the Grizzlies will have a gaping hole at the lead guard slot, a hole Tyreke Evans could very nicely fill. Assuming the team does not also try to move the big Spaniard, Marc Gasol, Evans would be a nice fit with Memphis’s franchise centerpiece. Gasol possesses one of the most consistent jumpers in the league at the center position, and pick and rolls/pops featuring Evans and face of the franchise could be devastating.

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The offensive rebounding opportunities created by Evans’s

reckless

aggressive drives would play right into the strengths of the Memphis front court. The idea of Gasol crashing the offensive glass for put-back slams and smooth layups is certainly one that should entice the Grizzlies.

From a business perspective, the move also makes sense. The Grizzlies, despite their record, finished at number 20 in terms of attendance, and bringing an established talent in to pair with Gasol would go a long way to proving to fans the team is not looking to undergo a Sixers-esque rebuild. For a small market team, keeping fans engaged is a constant struggle, and Tyreke Evans would certainly give the Grizzlies some firepower in that battle.

A trip back to Memphis (Evans played college ball in the blues capitol of the world) may be just what Evans needs to revitalize his career and reputation.

Next: Helping the competition