23-year old SF/SG Tyreke Evans is set to sign a 4-year, $44 million dollar offer sheet with the New Orleans Pelicans on July 10th. There is no way that the Kings will match that offer, but there are rumblings that they are working out a deal with the Pelicans that could bring back point guard Greivis Vasquez and center Robin Lopez for Evans. Evans played in 65 games (61 starts) for the Kings last year and he averaged 31.0 minutes, 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He has now played in 257 games (247 starts) in his first four years in the NBA and he is averaging 34.9 minutes, 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. I think a trade is the way to go for the Kings as Vasquez is a solid player, who would be a huge upgrade at point guard for them. Lopez would back up Cousins or he could be trade bait for a small forward.
UPDATE: The Kings have done a sign and trade deal sending Evans to the New Orleans Pelicans. In return the Kings have acquired 26-year old point guard Greivis Vasquez. Vasquez played in 78 games (all starts) for the Hornets (now Pelicans) last year and he averaged 34.4 minutes, 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. His 704 assists led the NBA last year. Vasquez has now played in 214 games (105 starts) in his first three years in the NBA and he is averaging 24.5 minutes, 9.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. Vasquez will take over as the Kings’ starting point guard. The Pelicans also sent center Robin Lopez to the Trailblazers as part of this deal. It’s not known yet where the draft picks and cash that the Blazers sent as part of this deal are going quite yet.
UPDATE II: The Kings also get a future second round pick from the Trailblazers as part of this deal.
