Recent trade rumors have emerged that the New Orleans Pelicans are gauging the interest of other NBA clubs to their versatile wing man Tyreke Evans and one of the suggested teams that could deal for the guard-forward is the Memphis Grizzlies.
While the Grizz already have the Big Three of All-NBA center Marc Gasol, veteran inside bruiser Zach Randolph, and top-level point guard Mike Conley, the team is still weak at the wings with Matt Barnes, Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, and aged All-Star Vince Carter alternating in the no. 2 and 3 positions.
However, Hoops Habit noted that "Memphis simply will not take the next step until it lands a perimeter weapon who can take over in isolation" and the available solution seems to be the 26-year-old Evans.
The 2010 Rookie of the Year has always been known "to take the initiative in finding his own shots" to the point of sometimes being misunderstood as a ball dominator, but that is perhaps what the Grizzlies need to finally get over the hump against the Western Conference's elite teams.
Evans has been hounded by injuries this year, though, as he is currently nursing a busted knee and did not play in Monday's game versus, coincidentally, Memphis.
Still, the fourth overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft is so far averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in almost 31 minutes per game this season, providing stellar all-around play for head coach Alvin Gentry.
While Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon had been in the rumor mill since the beginning of the season, there is no denying that Evans is also a valuable trade piece that other teams could potentially be looking at right now.
SB Nation reported that the case of Evans is much like with Anderson "where the interest is arising from other organizations" rather than the Pelicans actively shopping him around like what they are currently doing with Gordon.
New Orleans has failed to meet the expectations of fans, owners, and team executives this season as they are now at the 11th spot in the West with an 18-28 record, three-and-a-half games behind the last playoff spot that is currently held by Portland (23-26).
With the team clearly underachieving, it is but natural that playoff-bound teams will come knocking before the Feb. 18 deadline and Evans could be a prime target.