Evans reportedly to sign with Pacers
Tyreke Evans‘ return to Memphis was short-lived. The guard reportedly agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
After struggling with injuries in back-to-back seasons, Evans settled for a one-year, $3.29 million deal with the Grizzlies in 2017. He responded with his best season since his 20-5-5 campaign that won him Rookie of the Year in 2010.
Evans, who played college ball with the Memphis Tigers, averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and shot 39.9 percent from 3-point range. While the Grizzlies struggled to get wins, the 6-foot-6 guard’s play caught league-wide attention.
It came as a surprise when Memphis didn’t move Evans at the trade deadline. It added to the pressure to bring him back this offseason to avoid coming away with nothing.
The large salaries of Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons, however, put the Grizzlies comfortably over the $101.8 million salary cap. On Sunday, they signed 2018 first-round draft pick Jaren Jackson Jr. to a multiyear contract and agreed with Omri Casspi on a one-year deal.
Therefore, Memphis could offer Evans only up to the $8.64 million midlevel exception. Even though they couldn’t keep him, the Grizzlies will be restricted in what they can do this summer without making a move.
Memphis could ignite trade discussions in an attempt to unload Parsons or choose to go into the 2018-19 season with much of its same core intact.