Tyreke Evans wanted out of Sacramento and chose an unknown situation in New Orleans over four more years of losses and untapped talent in Sacramento.
Evans is a former rookie of the year, and someone who’s used to being a starter after having started all but 10 of the 257 games he’s appeared in through his first four NBA seasons.
Evans signed with the Pelicans knowing there would be a logjam at the guard spot, but according to The Sporting News, Tyreke isn’t ultimately concerned with starting, and says “he would have no problem coming off the bench.”
“I haven’t talked to the coaches or anything like that but that’s what they’ve been saying,” Evans told Sporting News in a phone interview. “When the season starts, I don’t know how things will go. Whatever role I am playing, I am definitely looking forward to it. I am going to go out there and play hard and try to win games.”
Asked if he would have no problem coming off the bench for the Pelicans, Evans said, “Yeah, definitely. I have never been worried about where I am playing. I am just happy to be in the situation and that everything has been worked out.”
I think it’s an excellent move for Tyreke. The Pelicans could choose to start him at small forward, and have one of the more opposing offensive rotations in the league.
Evans could also choose to accept and thrive in the Manu Ginobili type role, where as the teams sixth man, Evans will be able do what he does against most teams second tier guys.