Here's a quick write-up on his impending free agency from an Insider article written March 7: I think Lillard and Evans would be an elite young backcourt. Are the Kings going to match big offers (leaving us Hibberted)? What would they seek in a sign-and-trade as the author suggests?
You start with the premise we want him, many here don't as this has been talked about a good bit. I'm undecided on it, I have chemistry concerns and he's "been" a poor outside shooter though last year he had by far his best shooring year at 47% FG and 33.8% from 3 land. I think we need a C more than Tyreke, but do wonder how much Tyreke will get in FA and I believe Sac can match?
Lillard actually plays very well off the ball, as was demonstrated when he and Maynor played alongside one another. I would like to have another player on the roster who is capable of creating his own shot. Evans could absolutely be a valuable weapon on this team.
Does anyone have any stats that show Evans FG% at the rim compared to the rest of the league? If he has the ability to put it on the floor and finish at the rim that would open up outside shots for Wes ... and Batum ... and Lillard ... and LMA. I would be curious if he is as effective as I seem to remember him.
Well the same could have been said about Damon Stoudamire and J.R. Rider. Besides didn't Lillard say that he likes playing off the ball sometimes? I think it could work. Lillard could be our upgraded version of Stoudamire and Evans could be our J.R. Rider.
Hey I get that we need a defensive center but this I still believe this might be the kind of chance that we need to take on a player to make that next step. Im not saying he is the answer he has the potential to be. Too bad we cant test drive him first.
Here's the problem, many other teams with capspace will likely have interest, he'll likely be overpaid and there is also the 3-day wait while the offer is in, and after all that Sac can match since he is an RFA - basicalyl no thx from my end, decision made.
Valid points, and Im not saying that Evans is the answer but its becoming more clear that Evans is the kind of player we need to look at but just maybe in a better situation
I wouldn't be surprised if Sac let him walk if the offer is on the high side. I get the feeling they agree it's not working for him with the Kings. He needs a fresh start. So a sign and trade would be in the King's best interest. His agent wants around 10 million a year. I just get a bad feeling about him. Will he work once he gets paid? I admit I know nothing about him other than what I see on the court. But when you are dishing out that kind of money he needs to be all about winning. Hopefully the Blazers will do their due diligence on any player they are signing. I kind of trust Olshey in that regards.
Even if one of them suffers, I foresee a positive synergistic effect for the team's overall success because they complement each other very well. Dame/Reke/Wes is a terrific three guard combo with skills that few other teams can replicate in the backcourt. Reke = my no.1 target this summer, but he's a RFA unfortunately.
63.2% this season: http://www.hoopdata.com/shotstats.aspx?team=SAC&type=pg&posi=%&yr=2013&gp2=30&mins=20 64.6% is the average for SGs playing 25mpg+: http://www.hoopdata.com/shotstats.aspx?team=%&type=pg&posi=SG&yr=2013&gp2=30&mins=25 And for the record, Wes shoots 60.8 at the rim. Not horrible. I've hated Tyreke's game all the way back to his rookie season. But these past several months I'm completely on-board with trying to get him, but ONLY as a 6th man. Wes should remain the starter. This gives us better defense and outside shooting in the starting unit, allows Lillard to have the ball in his hands most of the time, and then puts the ball in Tyreke's hands with the bench unit. This plays to everyones strengths and maximizes our players abilities. If you put Wes on the bench then we're still stuck with a bench that doesn't have a player who can create dribble-score opportunities. And in the starting unit you've got a terrible defensive backcourt, and the defense can collapse into the paint off of Evans.
Interesting the that Iggy is 3rd in the league for that list at 74.1%. Im not sure how much of that is a product of Denver's offense?
How do we get T E ?? Pay him. $9 - $10 million per year. Use the cap space on him and try to get a center via trade of #10 pick or bench players (doubtful). Tough call to get it all done correctly.