The focus of most NBA fans (rightfully so) is on the playoffs. After all, that's what the sport is all about. But for 22 groups of fans, there's at least a tinge of curiosity as to what their team is planning to do to improve for 2018-19. The most obvious path for a better record is free agency, where there could be plenty of big names this summer.
Tyreke Evans could be a key contributor to a team next year. Which NBA teams should chase him in free agency?
5. Phoenix Suns
What Evans' interest in going to a struggling team like Phoenix is, remains to be seen.
As an unrestricted free agent, he holds all the cards. But the Suns could use another veteran presence to guide them through these dark years. Some would argue that he fills the same role as Devin Booker, but Evans could either come off the bench and spell Booker or move over to start at point guard.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Everything in Oklahoma City revolves around Paul George's free agency decision this summer. If he decides to return to the Thunder, this will probably be a moot point. Assuming he leaves to join another team like the Los Angeles Lakers, however, and the Thunder will suddenly be in the market for a scorer like Evans to take some of the load off Russell Westbrook (and his 43 shots in the team's elimination game).
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Nowhere in the NBA is there a tailor-made role for Evans like there is in Minnesota. He would fulfill the same exact mission as Jamal Crawford, who recently decided to opt out of his contract. He can come off the bench and jack threes until his arms get tired, playing for a team on the come-up.
2. Indiana Pacers
If we learned anything last year, it's that the Indiana Pacers aren't rebuilding anytime soon. They have two building blocks in Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner. Now they need role players to fill scoring gaps that Bojan Bogdanovic can't fill on his own. Evans' workmanlike mentality would fit in well with the Pacers - just ask Lance Stephenson.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
In all likelihood, Evans isn't going anywhere. The Grizzlies know what they have in the former Rookie of the Year: he averaged 19.4 points per game and in excess of five rebounds and five assists per game. He stepped away from the team at the end of the season to deal with a personal matter, but Memphis would be wise to hand him a mid-level exception, especially if they think they can contend for the NBA playoffs with healthier seasons from Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons.
