Beale Street Bears
Fansided

Memphis Grizzlies: Top 5 Decisions We Wish Were April Fools’ Jokes

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Memphis Grizzlies April Fools
Tyreke Evans found himself in an early April Fools joke in 2018 with the Memphis Grizzlies /

April Fools! Fumbled Trade Leverage

Just over one year ago, something cruel happened to the Memphis Grizzlies’ best healthy offensive player. Tyreke Evans — a one-year Grizzly — had played so well in a lost season that he had proved himself to NBA opponents. He was back. He was healthy once again. Plus, he could contribute in a major way.

Midway through the 2017-18 NBA season, the Grizzlies were intending to do Evans a big favor. They were fielding trade offers on ‘Reke and it was looking like he would move on to a contending team. How nice of Memphis, right?

April Fools!

Related Story. Memphis Grizzlies Open Season Versus a Determined Tyreke Evans. light

About a month and a half ahead of April 1st, the team had sent Tyreke Evans away while they mulled over various trade offers. It looked inevitable that a deal at the NBA Trade Deadline would be made. But, remember this. It is the Memphis Grizzlies. It was the trade deadline. It was not the only time the team had faltered at the deadline.

Even after reports stated the Memphis Grizzlies had received offers of a first-round pick in exchange of Tyreke Evans, the brakes were pumped. The NBA Trade Deadline passed and Evans would return to the Grizzlies to finish the remainder of the season with them.

Tyreke boasted season averages of 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 45.2% shooting, including 39.9% from three-point land. As Evans entered NBA Free-Agency for a second-consecutive year in 2018, there was no way the two parties would negotiate a new deal. The bridge was burned. The Grizzlies had halted ‘Reke as he was statistically dominating the competition. It wound up costing him some cash this past summer, too.

Home/Grizzlies All-Time Lists