The Boston Celtics are currently dominating the Eastern Conference, holding a 33-10 mark, 2.5 games ahead of their closest pursuer, the Toronto Raptors, and 5.5 games ahead of the reigning East champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics have accomplished this even without their biggest offseason acquisition, Gordon Hayward, who suffered a gruesome injury minutes into his Boston debut. The Celtics received an $8.4 million injury exemption, which they can use until March 10 to get a player who can help boost their chances of ending the Cavaliers’ dominance and making it to the NBA Finals.
According to WEEI.com columnist John Tomase, Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Tyreke Evans fits that bill as he is in the final year of his contract and due to hit free agency after this season.
Tomase said Evans is worth pursuing as he can provide the Celtics with needed scoring off the bench. Like Kyrie Irving, Evans is also a good isolation player, averaging a point per possession in isolation. The 6-foot-6 Evans could also step in as point guard in case the Celtics need one. This season, Evans is averaging 5.5 assists per game since starting playmaker Mike Conley was sidelined with injury. Evans is also a reliable defender as the Grizzlies allow nearly five fewer points a game when he's on the floor.
Grizzlies to become active seller
With a dismal 12-27 record this season, the Grizzlies are anticipated to be an active seller before the February 8 trade deadline and expected to ship Evans to teams in need of a scoring boost, instead of allowing him to leave after this season without getting anything in return. Evans signed a one-year deal worth $3.3 million with the Grizzlies after stints with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Evans regained scoring touch with Grizzlies
The Kings drafted Evans fourth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. He won Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in his first NBA season. However, it was downhill from there for Evans as his numbers dipped in each of the next four seasons.
In 2013, the Kings traded him to the Pelicans, where he played for three-plus seasons. Evans was limited to just 65 games in 2016 and 2017 after undergoing several knee surgeries. With the Grizzlies, Evans rediscovered his scoring prowess, as he averaged 19.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 38 games, with 19 starts.
