NBA Offseason 2013: Pelicans and Evans

The new look New Orleans Pelicans made a splash today when they landed former Kings guard Tyreke Evans in a three-team, sign and trade deal. The addition of Evans should help enforce the Pelicans as threats in 2013-2014.

Tyreke Evans

The Pelicans gave up relatively nothing to pick up Evans. They traded off center Robin Lopez who really didn't have a future in New Orleans to Portland. Guard Grevis Vasquez was traded off to Sacremento. Lopez is just a role player at best; he can score on occasion and is an average rebounder. He'll help give some depth to the Portland frontcourt but he will never be a quality starter in the NBA. New Orleans did give Vasquez a ton of minutes at the point guard spot last season but it is understandable why they got rid of him. With the addition of rising star Jrue Holiday, Vasquez was getting pushed out of the point guard role. With Evans coming in and Eric Gordon returning there just wasn't enough minutes for Vasquez. Sacremento gains a strong starting point guard who isn't much of a scorer but is a strong playmaker in him.

It might be a little tough to imagine the Pelicans as playoff contenders this next season but the future is definitely bright. With how tough the Western Conference is it will take huge years from Holiday and Evans and Davis staying healthy. There is a lot of questions with all of these additions though. Evans, Holiday and the rest of this Pelicans roster will need some time to gel and most of this roster is filled with youth and inexperience. All three of the presumed starting guards for New Orleans need the ball to be effective which is a definite conflict. Holiday is an okay passer but he is most effective as a scorer and three-point shooter. Both Gordon and Evans are good scorers but neither are great passers. And even with four very good starters on their roster (Holiday, Gordon, Evans and Davis) New Orleans still has a gaping weakness. Ryan Anderson should likely start at the power forward slot. He can stretch the floor with his long range ability but he is undersized and is not a good rebounder. That is a very big loss because if the Pelicans are planning to play three guards, they need all the rebounding frontcourt players they can get. Other than their starting five the Pelicans roster is filled with unproven youngsters and little depth meaning the Pelicans will struggle late in games. With the addition of Evans, New Orleans has a lot of scoring ability, good shooting and speed in transition. If the Lakers don't get Dwight and Utah is weaker than last year it could leave an opening in the playoffs that the Pelicans could sneak into.

New Orleans' Projected 2013 Lineup:
G Jrue Holiday
G Eric Gordon
G/F Tyreke Evans Player Profile
F Ryan Anderson
C Anthony Davis
Sixth Man: Austin Rivers