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Evans is a legitimate 6'5. He measured 6'5.25 at pre-draft camp and has a 6'8 wingspan. I think if Devin isn't coming back and Sacramento isn't re-signing him, they'll give him a good look. They'll also be looking at Melvin Sanders for this role.
Sacramento guard Maurice Evans, also a restricted free agent, is among those options. After averaging 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 65 games last season for the Kings, Evans has "significant interest" in joining the Spurs, his agent said Friday.
The Spurs know Evans well. He played the 2000-01 season at the University of Texas, works out at the Spurs' practice facility during the summer and recently purchased a home in San Antonio.
"He really likes it here," said Evans' San Antonio-based agent, Roger Montgomery. "Obviously, he's still a restricted free agent, but I think he would be a good fit with the Spurs. We'll just have to see what happens."
Having already agreed to three-year contracts with Robert Horry and Fabricio Oberto, the Spurs have about half of their $5 million midlevel exception remaining, as well as a lesser $1.6 million exception. The Kings, who would have 15 days to match any offer sheet Evans signs, may be less interested in keeping him after agreeing Friday to acquire swingman Bonzi Wells from Memphis.
Like Brown, Evans is 26 years old and measures 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. While Evans is slightly more explosive, one scout considers Brown a little better all-around player.
Whether it's Evans, Brown or someone else, finding an athletic wing player is among the Spurs' top remaining priorities. The team likely won't pick up Linton Johnson III's option except to include him in a trade.
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Last edited by ace3g; 07-23-2005 at 11:42 PM.
Evans is a legitimate 6'5. He measured 6'5.25 at pre-draft camp and has a 6'8 wingspan. I think if Devin isn't coming back and Sacramento isn't re-signing him, they'll give him a good look. They'll also be looking at Melvin Sanders for this role.
yeah I know, I saw that article about sanders on WOAI.com
whats up with with the last part of that article; about the spurs wont pick up the Option on LJIII unless he is included in a Trade
It looks like they aren't planning on having him back, but might use him as part of a sign-and-trade.
Maurice Evans isn't that good. He plays much better as a starter than on the bench. He struggles with shooting big time. He could be wide open and be missing shots. All his shots are wide open because teams know he can't hit it normally.
He plays much better as a starter than on the bench.His shooting percentages were actually horrible as a starter and good as a bench player.
Excepting his bad back, Devin Brown is the better player right now. Has more NBA experience and does many of the same things. Remember, these players are both almost 27 - born one month apart. Which one do you think is more likely to be a full-time starter in this league? Definitely Brown.
But as bench filler, a guy who can get in there and work, this is the kind of guy you want. To call him a SF is foolish, however.
My bad. It seemed like the kings played better when he was a starter than Mobley but I didn't get too involved with it.
The only way I sign Evans over Brown is if Brown's back is finished. Otherwise, I'd re-sign Brown in a second.
And with the way the Spurs have played this out by portraying Brown as an injury risk, it'll cost around LLE money to re-sign him. That'd be well worth it.
What's next move for Kings?
July 24
Sacramento Bee: "Meanwhile, athletic swingman Maurice Evans, who impressed with his jumping ability, hustle and compe ive nature, works out in San Antonio, Texas, and wonders if there remains a place for him in Sacramento."
Evans lives in SA in fact he just bought a house in SA recently, and has been working out at the spurs practice facility every summer since it has been open.
It is not like the spurs are scouting him there or anything like that; although if they cant resign brown they will go after either Evans or Matt Barnes
I think the risk involved with Devin is too great. Nobody knows the extent of the injury and I'm not even sure the Spurs know. I think they may be willing to take a chance on Evans over Devin because there is too much uncertainty involving Devin's back. I want Devin to come back, but it looks like that possibility is diminishing everyday that goes by. Evans may be just what we need. He has pure physical athleticism and can bring energy off the bench much like Manu used to when he first came here. You need energy coming off of the bench, especially in the backcourt. I don't think Evans is the answer at the 3 because he is too small, but he plays decent D and can probably learn more playing with Bruce. I just think that the Spurs can't lose their edge. If Devin reinjures his back, then we are left with a player on the injured list and an empty roster spot, and reduced depth in the backcourt. Evans is just a safer bet right now in my view.
Sonics, Spurs, Pistons And Wolves Ready To Go After Evans
If anyone is registered at sacbee.com can you post the rest of this articleLinkSacramento Bee - Roger Montgomery, Maurice Evans' agent, said Saturday the Kings have not aggressively attempted to retain his client.
"Based on their recent acquisitions," Montgomery said, "I would have to infer the Kings are not really into re-signing Maurice. They have not been proactive pre-Bonzi Wells and post-Bonzi Wells. So I'm led to infer they have other plans that don't include Maurice."
The Timberwolves, Spurs, Pistons and Sonics all appear interested in Evans.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a..._after_ evans/
What's next move for Kings?
Maurice Evans would like to know, too, but he is not optimistic about returning.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, July 24, 2005
Shooting guard Cuttino Mobley has agreed to a five-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Bonzi Wells has been imported from Memphis to replace Mobley.
Meanwhile, athletic swingman Maurice Evans, who impressed with his jumping ability, hustle and compe ive nature, works out in San Antonio, Texas, and wonders if there remains a place for him in Sacramento.
Roger Montgomery, Evans' agent, said Saturday the Kings have not aggressively attempted to retain his client.
"Based on their recent acquisitions," Montgomery said, "I would have to infer the Kings are not really into re-signing Maurice. They have not been proactive pre-Bonzi Wells and post-Bonzi Wells. So I'm led to infer they have other plans that don't include Maurice."
Evans, 26, surprised many observers by making the Kings team as a free agent last fall and then averaged 19 minutes in 65 regular-season games, including 11 starts.
During the Kings' season-ending, Game 5 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the playoffs, Evans replaced Mobley, who had injured a toe, and made each of his five field-goal attempts and scored 13 points in 33 minutes.
Evans may have other options, although the ability to deliver an offer sheet ultimately will tell all.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, with whom Evans played 10 games during the 2001-02 season while establishing a strong relationship with star forward Kevin Garnett, clearly have a need with the expected loss of Latrell Sprewell. The Timberwolves did draft North Carolina's Rashad McCants with their first-round pick, but Evans would seem to fit.
Moreover, new coach Dwane Casey was on Seattle's staff last season and watched Evans play well against Sonics star Ray Allen.
It also is believed the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs have interest in Evans.
Evans said he believes in his talents and is working daily to improve.
"I think they pretty much speak for themselves," Evans said of Mobley's departure and the trade for Wells that sent away Bobby Jackson and Greg Ostertag. "I can't question (Kings president of basketball operations) Geoff Petrie. He's a great (executive), and he's one of the main reasons why the Kings have been one of the top teams in the league.
"But I don't know why he wouldn't want to re-sign a player of my caliber and potential. I'm going to be a good player for whoever I play for."
Petrie said this week he would continue to talk to Montgomery and Mark Bartelstein, who represents Sacramento's other restricted free agent, forward Darius Songaila. Petrie said he anticipated the outcomes of those talks to take a few days to unfold.
Often, it's the salary numbers that work against players, but this time it could be the imbalance of Sacramento's backcourt. The addition of Wells and the selections of Kevin Martin and Francísco García, respectively, in the past two drafts give the Kings three swingmen capable of playing shooting guard and small forward, but just one point guard, Mike Bibby.
Petrie said the Kings will address acquiring a backup for Bibby.
The Kings also need a backup small forward for Peja Stojakovic. Evans would fit that bill and also be capable of moving to shooting guard. However, the salary cap could be a factor because the Kings would have to decide how much they want to pay a player who ostensibly would receive limited playing time.
From Evans' perspective, he'd like to sign for as much money and receive as much playing time as possible. It is conceivable the Kings could do a sign-and-trade with Evans that could bring a backup point guard.
Wolves interested in bringing back Evans
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twinci...s/12272446.htm
With the free-agent signing date starting Tuesday, the Timberwolves are showing significant interest in bringing back former Wolf Maurice Evans, his agent, Roger Montgomery, said.
Evans is a restricted free-agent swingman for Sacramento. He seemingly would fill a need for the Wolves, who are emphasizing defense under new coach Dwane Casey. Evans, a 6-foot-5 athletic wing, fits that mold.
"Coach Casey really likes Maurice," Montgomery said Sunday. "He got to see Mo up close and personal in the playoffs (last season). He was really intrigued by what he brings to the table."
Evans signed a free-agent contract with the Wolves as an undrafted rookie out of Texas. He played in 10 games as a rookie during the 2001-02 season. But Minnesota released him just before the start of the 2002-03 season.
He played with Olympicos in Greece and then Benetton Treviso in Italy. He returned to the NBA last season.
Evans, 26, averaged 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 19 minutes a game with the Kings. He played in 65 games and started 11 times. He shot 44.2 percent.
"Mo is a defensive-minded player," Montgomery said. "He can shoot the jump shot, which was a knock on his game in the past. Now he shoots it with consistency."
The Wolves face compe ion for Evans, who also is attracting interest from Seattle and San Antonio.
Sacramento has the right to retain Evans by matching another team's contract offer. Free agents can reach contract agreements at any time but can't sign a new deal until the moratorium ends Tuesday.
The Spurs hold an advantage. Evans recently bought a home in San Antonio, just down the street from his agent.
But the Wolves have something in their favor. During his rookie season, Evans developed a close friendship with Wolves forward Kevin Garnett. When Evans returned from playing in Greece, he briefly lived with Garnett.
Evans has plans to start working out soon with Garnett in California, where the Wolves star has a home.
"K.G. took Maurice under his wings and kind of showed him how to be a professional," Montgomery said.
It'll be interesting if the Kings match on him. I don't think they will.
it seems that wolves have chosen Damien Wilkins ($15M/5 years)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...19_soni06.html
Wilkins to Minnesota
Damien Wilkins, a Sonics restricted free agent, is expected to sign a five-year, $15 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA sources say.
The Sonics, who were hoping to retain the 25-year-old forward, have the option to match the Timberwolves' offer but are unlikely to do so because of the amount of money in the deal.
Wilkins, who averaged 6.3 points in 29 games during his rookie campaign last season and performed admirably in the playoffs in place of injured regulars Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic, had also been considering an offer from Portland.
The Trail Blazers are now led by ex-Sonics coach Nate McMillan.
The Timberwolves pursued Wilkins based on advice from new coach Dwane Casey, who left the Sonics' staff this summer after 11 seasons with the club to take over in Minnesota.
Damn, at this rate Noel Felix might start for Seattle next season.
I think they'll be able to retain Radman (probably one year) and get back Reggie and Flip. But so far they haven't done anything but re-sign Ray and sign Brunson. I guess cap space isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
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