Opinion: Let Tyreke Evans Go in Free Agency

Tyreke Evans is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Although he does bring in unique assets, the Sacramento Kings shouldn’t bring him back.

The fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, Tyreke Evans, started his career with a bang. In his rookie year, Evans averaged around 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. Due to his outstanding performances, Evans won the 2010 Rookie of the Year Award beating out Stephen Curry and making it into the 2010 All-Rookie Team.

However, it went all downhill for Evans after his first season. His numbers went down every season until he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013.

For his point, rebound, and assist game, here are how his numbers fared:

2009-10: 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists

2010-11: 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists

2011-12: 16.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists

2012-13: 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists

See that? For the three major NBA stats, every single stat saw a decline in production by the year. Injuries do come into play because they really harmed his development, but the numbers never lie.

Mar 1, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans (32) during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

Evans ended up moving to the Pelicans where he became a bench player during the 2016-2017 season until being a part of the blockbuster DeMarcus Cousins trade which saw Evans make his return to Sacramento.

When returning to the Kings, he was in and out of the starting lineup with six starts and eight bench appearances. He averaged 11.6 points per game which were better than the 9.5 points he averaged back in New Orleans for the first half of the season. He also had his best percentage from the three-point line with 43.8%!

We saw sparks of Tyreke Evans in which he replicated from his beginning Sacramento days, but let’s face it, the chances of the 27-year-old to become the player he once was is very low.

Evans does bring in assets that aren’t common elsewhere. He is capable of bringing the ball upward and bringing pressure off the primary ball handler. But with Fox and Mason being drafted, letting them have the ball the most is necessary to giving them confidence. It also allows for the two rookies to enhance their overall skills with handling the ball.

Evans is capable of playing the point guard, two-guard, and small forward positions, but the Kings have their future point guards and the shooting guard spot is stacked. He could be a small forward but his 6’6″ height is a weakness in that position in which many small forwards are at least 6’7″ and above.