NBA Rumors: Jeremy Evans Reportedly Replacing Iman Shumpert in Slam Dunk Contest

Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans is the likely replacement for Iman Shumpert in the 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Shumpert is battling a knee injury and competing in the big event could hinder his healing process. 

Update: Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 12:15 p.m. ET 

 It's official, Shumpert is out and Evans is in, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. 

According to HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy and Brian Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune, Shumpert will sit out All-Star weekend to focus on his health. After all, that is the best move he could make because the New York Knicks need him to be 100 percent down the stretch and into the postseason. 

Shumpert, a rookie, will certainly have plenty of other opportunities to throw down in the Slam Dunk Contest. This does mean that Jeremy Lin won't be doing anything in the popular All-Star weekend event. 

The Knicks' big sensation was going to assist Shumpert in a dunk, but with Shumpert likely out, Lin is gone too. Lin is still in the Rising Stars Challenge, though.  

Since the other competitors of the Slam Dunk Contest aren't household names, the loss of Lin could hurt ratings some. Everyone loves the young point guard, and it would have been fun to see how he would've contributed. 

As for Evans, the second-year forward out of Western Kentucky doesn't add much hype to the Slam Dunk Contest, which doesn't do anything to help ratings. 

Evans is a role player for the Jazz, playing in only 16 games this year, averaging 5.6 minutes and 1.7 points per game. 

Nothing official from the NBA yet on this swap, but the reports indicate a press release from the league should be out sometime on Wednesday. 

Should Evans be the guy, he'll be up against Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Chase Budinger of the Houston Rockets and Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves.