Sacramento Kings: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

9. Tyreke Evans (SF/SG) — No. 4 Pick in 2009 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Kings):  271 GP, 17.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, .4 BPG, 2.7 TOV, 44.8 FG%, 29 3P%, 76.4 FT%

After being a one-and-done prospect at the University of Memphis, Tyreke Evans made a strong first impression after being taken fourth overall by the Kings in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Evans took the world by storm during his rookie season by being a force on the offensive end, averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game for the 2009-10 season. That production helped Evans earn Rookie of the Year honors, making him the only player to do so in the Sacramento era.

Unfortunately, Evans struggled to build on the standard he set in his rookie season as his averages slid with each successive season with the team. Some of that was due to nagging injuries, something that has only taken a bigger toll on his overall career, while the other part of it was due to the constant dysfunction that hung over the organization during Evans’ first stay with the club.

Hitting restricted free agency following his fourth season in the league, the Kings chose to deal Evans to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a sign-and-trade that also involved the Portland Trail Blazers, seemingly putting his time with the team to a close.

However, Evans made an unlikely return to Sacramento last season as he was a part of the package that sent DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans, along with Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and what became the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.