Miami Heat: A trade deadline proposition for Tyreke Evans
By Simon Smith
Having reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Tyreke Evans, here’s a trade proposition the Miami Heat could deliver prior to the Feb. 8 deadline.
His name may not garner the attention of Blake Griffin on a national stage, but Tyreke Evans is certainly raising eyebrows among contenders on the brink of the 2018 NBA trade deadline.
Signed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal this past summer, Evans has exceeded all expectations in what has been a dismal season for the Memphis Grizzlies. Having played a total of 65 games over the past two seasons due to recurring knee issues, it was Evans’ body, not his talent, that had many onlookers doubting if he could recapture the form that made him the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
But in 46 games, Evans has delivered in spades, averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.1 minutes per game. Most notably, Evans has excelled as a long range shooter, hitting at a 39.5 percent clip on 5.4 attempts per game. Considering he entered the season a career 29.5 percent 3-point shooter, this has been some turnaround, and is just one example of the immense talents Evans can bring a playoff contender down the stretch of this season.
As reported by Keith Pompey of Philly.com, the Miami Heat are one playoff contender that has made contact with the Grizzlies regarding a possible transaction:
Source confirms #Sixers are interested in Tyreke Evans, but adds #Celtics, #Cavaliers, #Pelicans, #Thunder, #Heat & #Rockets have all contacted the #Grizzlies about the Chester native. "It going to come to a team giving them what they want," the source said. They want a 1-rounder
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) January 31, 2018
Although the Heat have a steady rotation of guards at present, the season-ending injury to Dion Waiters has cost them both a scoring and playmaking option as we enter the business end of the season. Playing alongside starting point guard Goran Dragic, Evans would provide the Heat with a terrific balance on both ends of the floor.
At the time of Waiters’ season-ending ankle injury, the Heat ranked third overall in drives, averaging 50.7 per game. But since Waiters’ absence, this number dropped to 43.6 per game, which ranks ninth overall. While the Heat have posted a 13-7 record since Waiters was sidelined, this has placed extra burden on Dragic to initiate at the offense.
Having averaged 14.4 drives per game while Waiters was available, Dragic has raised this to 16.5 per game in the ensuing contests, ranking third only behind Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan. Small forward Josh Richardson has taken the mantle behind Dragic, but he’s averaged just 8.9 per game. For his part this season, Evans has averaged 13.3 drives per game in the 26 games he has started this season.
Considering the Grizzlies struggles this season with an 18-32 record, it’s quite notable that they’ve been 8.8 points per 100 possessions better off when Evans has been on the floor.
Tyreke Evans would be a wonderful piece for any playoff team. He can run point, play off-ball, score in end-of-clock situations. He's having an insanely good season. I'd be pursuing him hard, despite the fact he'll be an unrestricted free-agent. He's a playoff difference maker.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 1, 2018
So while the Heat would love to acquire Evans, what do they need to provide the Grizzlies?
Forward Justise Winslow has again established himself this season to be among the elite perimeter defenders in the league. After being sidelined for 11 games earlier this season with a knee injury, Winslow has gradually found his feet on both ends of the floor.
In particular, over his last four games, Winslow has recorded the absurd defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 78.2. This led the league over this span among players averaging at least 20 minutes per game.
While his offensive game still has a lot of work to do, Winslow nonetheless has connected on 23-of-55 from long range for a 41.8 percent return this season. Still just 21 and the No. 10 overall pick in 2015, Winslow still has plenty of potential for the Grizzlies to tap into and utilize.
Due to previous transactions, the Heat are extremely limited in their ability to trade future draft picks. Ideally, a second round pick would be included to try to seal the deal. Combo guard Tyler Johnson is another viable trade option. However, due to the Grizzlies’ future cap situation with Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Chandler Parsons all earning substantial salaries, the $38.5 million owing on the final two years of Johnson’s deal makes this a highly unlikely move.
Considering the Grizzlies secured Evans last offseason at next to no cost, the addition of Winslow via midseason trade would at least give them some impetus as they look ahead to the offseason and the annual draft.
Next: 2017-18 Week 16 NBA Power Rankings
While the Heat would need to address Evans’ contractual situation in the summer, this deal would be a no-brainer if they were to come to terms with the Grizzlies’ front office.