12:31pm: Appearing on 92.9 ESPN in Memphis, Evans’ brother said the free agent guard is also meeting with the Warriors and Hornets today, and has yet to be contacted by the Grizzlies (Twitter links via John Martin of 92.9 ESPN).
Evans’ brother said that “if the Grizzlies asked us for a last-minute meeting, we would take it,” but it sounds like the decision could come down to the Thunder, Lakers, Warriors, and Hornets, tweets Martin.
11:36am: Free agent guard Tyreke Evans met with the Thunder on Sunday in Los Angeles and will have a meeting with the Lakers on Monday, reports ESPN’s Chris Haynes (via Twitter).
While it’s not clear yet whether Oklahoma City or Los Angeles are serious suitors for Evans, either team would be a fascinating on-court fit. The Thunder and Lakers have been two of the most active clubs so far in free agency, with OKC having reached agreements with Paul George and Jerami Grant, while L.A. secured commitments from LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson, and JaVale McGee.
Given their activity so far, neither the Thunder nor Lakers could make Evans a lucrative offer as things currently stand. The Thunder project to be well into luxury-tax territory, so they’d have the $5.337MM mid-level exception available if they’re willing to use it — doing so would cost exponentially more in tax penalties.
As for the Lakers, we discussed their cap situation in depth earlier today. For now, they’d only be able to offer Evans a minimum-salary deal, but they could open up more cap room by renouncing Julius Randle or by waiving and stretching Luol Deng.
In addition to the Lakers and Thunder, the Pelicans have been linked to Evans, and the Grizzlies are also believed to have interest in re-signing the unrestricted free agent, who averaged an impressive 19.4 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 5.1 RPG in an injury-shortened 2017/18 campaign.
Neither team makes sense for him in my opinion. The Lakers just signed Lance Stephenson. OKC needs shooting.
i think he turned into a shooter this year
On OKC, he would also turn into a huge expense. And if this is the Lakers’ best idea they need to cool off.
Tyreke makes more sense than randle honestly. He can shoot and what does lebron need? Shooting. I think resigning kcp and lance stevenson made hart expendable. If we sign tyreke i could see kuzma being delt along with hart to the spurs for kawhi.
I would rather see him sign with the Rox has a ariza replacement.
And sign and trade randle too, spurs cant do much better, 3 young pieces to go along with there young draft picks with pop at the helm.
I read the Thunder parting ways would save the Thunder $91 million, and Paul George expected moves to be made.
That is parting ways with Carmelo Anthony.
a buy out wouldn’t save them that much and would still leave them over cap… unless they can trade him but no value since he opted in.
I feel like they are stuck with him for this year.
Would Portland take him I think Lillard wanted melo last summer. Turner and Aminu for Melo and a pick?
Right now OKC would have the largest salary in NBA history. I didn’t make up that figure (saving $91 million), it was in the article. It said they could stretch or buyout Carmelo. It’ll be awhile before they are under the cap. With Westbrook and George they know they are financially strapped. Houston, Portland, and LA would all be options. The article said Carmelo would keep most of his $27 million so he could accept a minimum salary.
you think melo would rather play with LeBron or cp3 ? he makes the most sense in Houston esxpecially with ariza gone and maybe luc gone as well.
He wanted to play with CP3 real bad last year, but Houston couldn’t get anyone to take Ryan Anderson. Nothing would stop him from going there this time.
I don’t get the Thunder. Isn’t it clear to see that they need help in the paint? Why do they keep signing guards when Adams clearly needs help? Even O’Quinn could help them.
I disagree. If they get ride of Melo Tyreke is perfect for them to play the 4. They still have Patterson and Grant who are good inside presences if they need.
Tyreke would be great in Phoenix
Thunder’s tax bill projects to go into record territory, so I’m surprised they’d be going after Evans or any other non-minimum player. Their taxpayer MLE of 5 mm plus would likely translate to well over 30 mm with additional tax.
They can trade Melo if he waives his no trade, but not without taking back at least some other bad contracts, which might help some, but not that much really. W&S him will reduce the tax and can be combined with any buyout savings. Otherwise they need a team with cap space, but I doubt any team has the full 28 mm needed to absorb his contract whole, and they don’t have 1st rounders they can trade until 2022. They have time (all year) and can do things in stages with Melo and others. But any W&S needs to be done by August 31st.
JR is gotta stay in LA.
bring him back to memphis
@SneakerReporter twitter prematurely reported last night that the Pacers had agreed to a 1 year 12MM contract with Evans. True? The Pacers waived Al Jefferson yesterday, and would need to stretch him to have the cap room (they would be at $11mm without stetching Jefferson. they could waive Ikobogdu and Poythress). Having Evans would be beneficial, he could backup the 1,2, and 3 and maybe start over Bogdonovich if true.
Charlotte would be a good fit. He’d have a bigger role with them then he would with any of the other teams.