Los Angeles Lakers: Top free agent targets not named LeBron James, Paul George

Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis Grizzlies

As necessary as the trading of Jordan Clarkson was for the Lakers’ free agency plans, it didn’t bode well for their lineup. The loss of an exceptional combo guard and scorer off the bench definitely limited their second unit offense after that deal was struck.

However, they could potentially find a fix to that problem via free agency.

One of the better combo guards in the league, Tyreke Evans is a name worth watching for the Lakers during the 2018 offseason. He’s nearing the end of a “breakout” season with the Memphis Grizzlies, having put up better numbers in most statistical categories than his eight previous NBA seasons.

Here’s the rundown: career highs in Player Efficiency Rating (21.2), effective field goal percentage (52.1) and free throw percentage (79.5), second-highest marks in 3-point shooting (39.8 percent), defensive rebounds per game (4.2) and points per game (19.5). All of this while boasting the highest usage percentage of his career at 28.4.

At 28 years of age, Evans is starting to show some of the explosive playmaking ability that made him such an asset for the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans earlier in his career. If the Lakers have the money and desire to add some veteran talent to the backcourt, Evans is their man.