Miami Heat: Is Tyreke Evans the right free agency fit?

By Brandon Johnson | May 25, 2018

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 11: Tyreke Evans /

Tyreke Evans could be a quick fix for the Miami Heat.

What would happen if the Miami Heat never had to bench Dion Waiters? In an alternate world, the Heat can run Waiters for 48 minutes a night, easing the team’s offensive woes with go-ahead shooting and a lust for the biggest moments.

Successful human cloning might be a few years away, but what if I told you the Heat could enlist a reasonable facsimile who recreates the magic of Waiters?

Soon-to-be free agent Tyreke Evans fits the bill in Miami’s quest to beef up their roster for the 2018-19 campaign.

In the 2016-17 NBA season, Evans played a whopping 40 games between two teams: the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings. Seven years after earning Rookie of the Year honors, Evans couldn’t hold a job, and all signs pointed to the murky halls of history mucking up whatever remained in his once fabled career.

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However, a reclamation project by the Memphis Grizzlies to the sweet tune of $3.3 million excavated Evans from his career’s trenches.

He was the lone artifact that salvaged the Grizzlies net worth. After former Heat coach David Fizdale was released, Memphis needed a spark en route to the fourth pick in the NBA draft.

Evans was that spark.

His 19 points per game was 19^th among guards and was no small feat considering the tenacious defenses in the Western Conference. Evans was regularly manned by some of the NBA’s best defenders, including Andre Roberson, Paul George and Jimmy Butler, but was only held to single digit scoring three times in 52 games played.

And for all of Evans’ upside, Miami has a chance to pounce early on the 6-foot-6 guard. Despite a stellar year, Evans is only one year removed from total irrelevance. If the Heat strike while the iron’s hot, they could use a mid-level exception ($8 million or so) to snag Evans while teams prioritize courting LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins and other free agent whales.

Assuming Miami has to relinquish Wayne Ellington, Evans’ scoring wizardry could tide Miami over for another season to free up more cap space. Already cuddling up next to 2018-19’s projected salary cap, Miami would do well in swapping out some of their lengthy deals for expiring ones.

Miami already expressed interest in Evans in February 2018. Entering into the post-All-Star rush, the Heat were on the market for another scorer and had the cash from Waiters’ injury to spend on his acquisition.

Picking up Evans can ease the trouble of finding a huge free agent this summer, while still moving Miami’s offense forward. A tandem of a healthy Waiters and Evans would be an offensive nightmare, sizing up the best defenders before launching from deep or cruising to the rack. Evans even averaged four free throw attempts per game last season, which outpaces all of Miami’s active players.

But wait, there’s more.

Evans also played a chunk of the season off the bench. Miami could easily slot Evans into second units, without sacrificing offensive integrity. And coupled with Miami’s elite training staff, the same one that cut off Dwyane Wade’s supply of hot cakes, Evans could inch closer towards his former, springy self.

Best of all, Evans knows anything but indecision in late game situations. He was the creator of Memphis’ late game offense, even when winning games meant a lower draft pick.

Miami has little to lose this off-season and everything to gain. A first round playoff exit is a learning experience, but little to write home about.

Next: Miami Heat: Was swingman Josh Richardson snubbed?

Taking a chance on Evans, meshes with Miami’s preferred free agency hunts and could provide definitive answers for scoring down the stretch.