Memphis Grizzlies 2017-18 Player Review: Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans had arguably his best and most interesting season of his nine year career thus far.

Tyreke Evans was signed on a one year deal as a low risk (financially), high reward option. It is quite clear, in hindsight, that Chris Wallace should have given Tyreke the two year 10 million dollar deal that Ben McElmore was signed to.

Evans was far and away the best player on the Grizzlies in this lost season. But isn’t that the normal for him — really good on a bad team? He wasn’t given the chance to prove that he could be good on a good team because of the injuries, but its been the status quo for Evans.

The New Tyreke Evans

Tyreke was above his career average in the following categories:

19.4 Points Per Game (16.5 career)

5.1 Total Rebounds (4.8)

5.2 Assists (5.1)

45% FG% (44%)

40% 3 point FG% (32%)

79% Free Throw% (76%)

21.1 Player Effecieny Rating (17.6)

Tyreke was still Tyreke, bullying his way to the basket at-will. His ability to play one on one and use the Euro-step to get to the basket was as effective as ever. Evans vastly improved his three point shooting this season, leading to his biggest statistical jump across the board.

A new shooting form was the biggest key in his uptick in three point shooting this year. There were many games where Evans had to shoulder the entire offensive load for the team to still lose by double digits.

Hometown Grizzlies fans were blessed and thrilled to see Tyreke call Memphis home again. He was the ultimate professional and, again, the team’s best player. But was it short lived?

Where Does Tyreke Land?

It is no secret that Tyreke Evans was away from the team at the end of the season and not present at the closing media day. It is also no secret that Chris Wallace risked his job botching the Tyreke trade that never happened.

Evans sitting out the last several games was clearly a smart move for him and his health. Evans stayed relatively healthy in a bounceback, career season, so not risking injury playing meaningless games, was clearly the way to go.

But did Chris Wallace ruin the chances of Tyreke wanting to return? Is his love for Memphis strong enough to sign on the MLE? Did Lou William’s set the market and in return help the Grizzlies out?

Sadly, I think his lack of appearance at the exit interviews was a bad sign. I believe there will be teams in win now mode ready to use the MLE or more to bring him on. So can Gasol and Conley convince Evans that Memphis will be contender with him next year?

One can only hope.