Reports: Memphis Grizzlies sit Tyreke Evans in anticipation of possible trade

Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans was held out of Wednesday’s night game against the Pacers because of a possible trade, according to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal.

Evans did his usual pregame warm-up before exiting the arena to return to the Grizzlies’ hotel before Indiana beat Memphis 105-101. According to Tillery, the Grizzlies are trying to acquire a future pick in trades for Evans, whose averages of 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game are some of the best he’s posted since his rookie season (2009-10).

Here’s more from The Commercial Appeal on what may be next for Evans:

Memphis is trying to acquire a first-round draft pick for Evans, who is playing on a one-year, $3.3 million contract. The Grizzlies don’t own Evans’ Bird Rights, meaning they are unable to pay Evans more than any other team as a free agent during the off-season.

Evans is likely to command a lucrative long-term deal based on his health and productivity this season.

“He was a great piece. He brought tremendous things to us as a team,” Grizzlies center Marc Gasol said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. But we as players have to concentrate on what we have to do on the floor.”

Teams interested in Evans include Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Boston, Denver and New Orleans, according to NBA sources.

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“He’s been a great professional for us. He’s performed at an extremely high level,” Grizzlies interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He wanted to fight with this group. He didn’t ask to be put in this situation … He’s a mature guy so he understands it. But he didn’t want to be absent from the group.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports trade talks are beginning to “intensify” and the organization plans to sit him out until a deal is completed.

As trade discussions involving Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans intensify, the organization plans to sit him out until a deal is completed, league sources tell ESPN.

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Evans will start sitting Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. He traveled to Indiana with the Grizzlies but returned to the team hotel earlier in the evening. Holding out Evans protects the Grizzlies in the event a potential injury dissuades prospective suitors.

Evans understands the NBA is a business and a potential trade is out of his hands. In the meantime, he plans to come into work and “do what I do every day.”