NBA Rumors: Sacramento Kings and Tyreke Evans Would Both Benefit from Trade

The Sacramento Kings are about to finish in the lottery for the sixth straight season and desperately need to change the culture surrounding the team.

One way for them to do this is to explore a trade involving Tyreke Evans.

Evans, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 draft and 2010 Rookie of the Year winner, is coming up on the last year of his contract and could return some valuable assets to the Kings.

As skilled as Tyreke is, he just may not be a fit with the current roster in Sacramento. That is exactly why GM Geoff Petrie will reportedly listen to offers this summer for Evans.

He has slowly declined since his sensational rookie campaign and has clearly to adjust to becoming a swingman-type of player rather than a ball handler.  Evans still has talent, and that is clearly evidenced by nights when he scores 25-plus points, gets to the free-throw line, grabs boards and makes plays.

Even so, Sacramento would be wise to move him in order to get a player who fits better and plays with more consistency.

They are currently trying to build around DeMarcus Cousins, Marcus Thornton and sensational rookie Isaiah Thomas. Flipping Evans for a 3 who can play defense, rebound and actually shoot a jumper would do wonders for their playoff chances next year.

Evans would also benefit from the scenery change. He needs to find his way into a system that would allow him to have the ball in his hands and get him more emotionally engaged in the game. That is when he is motivated and playing his best.

After three years together, it’s become evident that Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings form a tenuous marriage at best. They may as well cut ties now while the player still is under contract and has value to another franchise.