Los Angeles Lakers: Other big-name free agents team must consider

Tyreke Evans, SG — Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)

Acquiring Bradley’s well-rounded skill-set would be great. However, maybe the Lakers are more interested in a versatile backcourt piece coming off an excellent season instead of a forgettable one. If that’s the case, they need to turn their attention to Tyreke Evans.

Prior to last season, Evans was seen as a mid-tier shooting guard at best. Then, he played like a fringe All-Star with the Memphis Grizzlies, serving as an explosive two-way combo guard who turned his career around in the span of a few months.

Averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, Evans was masterful during his one year in Memphis. He shot a career-best 56.1 true shooting percentage while connecting on nearly 40 percent of his 3-point shots. Despite the Grizzlies’ overall ineptitude, Evans was a blindingly bright star in a sea of darkness.

My main concern here is the “contract year” effect. Players headed for free agency turn it up to 11, playing their hearts out in hopes of landing that big-money deal. Then, shortly after the ink dries, they decide to phone it in, figuring they’ve already cashed in and don’t need to give it their everything anymore.

I’m not saying that’ll be the case with Evans, but it’s a concern either way.

Still, if the Lakers can get what we saw from Evans in 2017-18, he’d be well worth the investment. It won’t be cheap signing him away from the Grizzlies, but bringing his skill-set to Los Angeles would absolutely be a big boost for this club in 2018-19.