The Sixer Sense
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Sixers: Top 5 free agents in the Southwest Division

By Christopher Kline

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets, James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets, and Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets look on during the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets, James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets, and Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets look on during the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images)
(Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images) /

No. 4: Tyreke Evans, Memphis Grizzlies

Evans is coming off the best season since his rookie year, stepping up in the absence of Mike Conley. He’ll now look to translate that success into a sizable contract, likely with a more competitive team.

Strengths

Averaging 19.4 points per game last season, Evans tallied the second-highest scoring mark of his career, trailing only his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2009-10. He showed growth as a spot-up shooter and thrived as the Grizzlies’ secondary ball-handler, earning Sixth Man of the Year consideration early in the season.

As a historically inefficient shooter, one solid season shouldn’t define Evans. Over the past three seasons combined, though, he’s shooting 38.7 percent from deep. That should be viewed as a positive sign.

At 6-foot-6, Evans provides considerable lineup flexibility. He can essentially spend time at three different positions, handling the ball in spurts and guarding small forwards on the other end. He averaged 5.2 assists per game last season.

Weaknesses

Evans is a talented all-around player, but efficiency has long been an issue. His recent improvement is worth believing, but he still hasn’t had a healthy season since 2014-15. That’s something else that might turn certain teams away — his injury history is far from ideal.

Fit

Like Ariza, Evans should be firmly on the Sixers’ radar if LeBron decides to play elsewhere. He’d plug some of their biggest holes on both ends, adding another versatile defender who can play with and without the ball offensively.

The Sixers need auxiliary playmakers to take pressure off Simmons and Embiid, something Evans can do. His growth as a shooter bodes well for his ability to play next to Simmons consistently, to boot.