Memphis Grizzlies: Tyreke Evans will be team’s 6th Man of the Year

For the Memphis Grizzlies, a strong bench will be very important for next season. Who will step up to become the team’s sixth man?

Last season, Zach Randolph moved to the bench and carried the second unit. He averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds and was the anchor the team needed when the offense became stagnant. With his departure, the Memphis Grizzlies will need someone to step up and carry the second unit. That man could be Tyreke Evans.

There are many possibilities for who could be this player for the Grizzlies next season. If he’s healthy, many think that Tyreke Evans can be the dynamic playmaker he was when he entered the league. Wayne Selden may build on his Summer League performance and become an excellent two-way player. If dreams become a reality, maybe even someone like Wade Baldwin or Andrew Harrison can become consistent NBA performers.

However, for this writing team, the answer is apparently clear.

Reasons for Tyreke Evans to be team’s 6MOY

Let’s slap that ‘if healthy’ sticker on this one.

Tyreke Evans has the chance to be a huge lift for the Memphis Grizzlies. With ZBo and TA out the door, they need someone other than Marc and Conley to deliver and rally the fans. The former University of Memphis Tiger has a chance to do so.

He has the versatility to play multiple positions. He can be a match-up nightmare for any of the positions as well. Evans has a size advantage over point guards, the handle to get by shooting guards and the quickness to leave small forwards in the dust. In addition, he’s a secondary scorer and playmaker – which lifts a ton of pressure off Conley’s back.

If Evans experiences somewhat of a renaissance this year, he’ll be a bargain at $3,000,000, an important element to the Grizzlies’ machine and a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. –Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA).

If Tyreke even plays 60 games, he’ll be one of the best sixth men the Grizzlies have ever had. His combination of size, playmaking and scoring will take pressure off Mike Conley. It will be nice to see that Mike Conley isn’t being guarded by someone like Kawhi Leonard at the end of games. –Nathan Chester (@BigNateChester)

The Grizzlies had better hope Evans can stay healthy enough to replace Zach Randolph’s 14 PPG or else the team will be in big trouble and the Grizzlies front office may be back on the street. Evans is being brought in to do one job, and that’s to provide reliable scoring coming off the bench.

Evans has the local angle going in his favor as well. The former Memphis Tiger should put some fans in the stands from day one. He has experience dominating the ball on offense so working with inexperienced backups like Ben McLemore, Andrew Harrison, James Ennis and Deyonte Davis will not be an issue for Evans. –Chip Crain (@chipc3)

If Tyreke is healthy, oh boy he’ll be a spark off the bench for the Grizzlies. If you watch enough basketball, you know he has some of the best handles in the league. With the way he handles the ball, his size and his ability to slash and make plays, he’s the perfect guy to play next to Conley as well. Grizzly fans, if Evans is healthy, you’re in for a treat this season. – Jerrod Smith (@jerrod_smith7)

Next: The countdown beings, are the Grizz ready?

Do you think Tyreke Evans won’t be the team’s sixth man of the year? Who do you think can emerge as team’s best bench player?