Maurice Evans again

[from_ro_to_dirk]

With the Warriors matching Azubuike it looks like Evans will be available again. We should really get him. Here is an article on this situation on db.com

http://www.dallasbasketball.com/fullColumn.php?id=521


Should Mavs Nab Evans?
By David Lord -- DB.com


A window of opportunity that we think merits Mavs’ investigation: The pursuit of athletic 2-guard Maurice Evans – and no, he hasn’t yet signed his offer from Golden State.

Would the Mavs have any interest in Evans as an additional swingman on this roster, as yet another candidate for important minutes at the 2? Evans is an athletic high-flying 6-5 shooting guard, has a reputation for solid defense, turns 30 this fall, and played a sizable sixth-man type role (24 mpg) for Orlando's playoff team last year (while averaging nine points and three rebounds and game and shooting 49 percent, 40 percent on 3’s). Evans started 47 of his 68 regular-season games in Orlando after starting the season with the Lakers.

He's a free agent looking for a home, and supposedly reached a deal with the Warriors starting at $2M and totaling $6.4M over three years. Seems like a bargain. … But the deal is crumbling, and the Mavs do have the assets to make a better offer.

From the Contra Costa Times: http://www.contracostatimes.com/warrior ... ck_check=1

The Riverside Press Enterprise reported [Evans] signed for three years, $6.4 million. But he has not signed the deal, the source said. The numbers were settled on before Evans backed out. Why? You’re right. He wants more money.

So, here’s the deal. If Evans wants too much, the Warriors will match Kelenna Azubuike, who plays the same position. If Evans takes the offer, they will sign him and let Azubuike go to the Clippers, who signed him to the offer sheet for three years and just over $9 million. The Warriors aren’t jumping too much higher, if at all. He certainly won’t be getting the deal Azubuike will. Evans turns 30 in November. Azubu ike turns 25 in December.

This all has to go down by Friday, the Warriors’ deadline for matching Azubuike. So the parties are involved in a sort of Game of Chicken: Azubuike remains in play for Golden State, which could mean Evans is back on the display rack. Therefore, if the Mavs want him (we’ve got no confirmation of that at this point) it appears there is a wide-open window of opportunity here.

How? The Mavs could trump Golden State's offer and make him a 25-percent larger offer, with a three-year, $8M deal starting at almost $2.5M, and use Eddie Jones' contract as the match in a sign-and-trade to gain the cap ability to add him.

Why would Orlando cooperate? Orlando – a legit contender in the East - might see Jones as a possible veteran contributor and inexpensive one-year replacement for Evans. (For what it’s worth, in DB.com’s conversations with Jones, he would love to find a way to be nearer his wife and children in Miami.) If that's not incentive enough, a payment of $2M cash along with Jones would clearly give the Magic a no-cost-to-them offer, and anything beyond that (a second-rounder, or more cash) guarantees the Magic something for their trouble even if they don't want Jones.

Evans started the season with the Lakers, earning 14 mpg before being dealt with Brian Cook for Trevor Ariza. The Kansas native played for Wichita State before finishing his college career at Texas.

Do the Mavs see Maurice Evans as better than what they already have at the 2? If so, all this costs is money, and a team supposedly trying to preserve their MLE a month ago shouldn't hesitate on this size of an offer if they see an available upgrade here.



1019am july 24 2008

[Captain_Obvious]

Uh, i would absolutely love this move. If we move Terry to 6th man role Evans is at least a SG that has the expirience and the skills to fill the starting spot. And i think he would love to come here and start right away with Wright, Green and Foster fighting for backup minutes at SF and SG.

Too bad its pure speculation though.

[JES12]

Evans is not going to get us over the hump, but he is better than Stack, Wright, Green, Jones and, IMO, Foster.

Too bad a Jones - Evans trade just ain't happening.

[dirkforpres]

That would be amazing. I am not the biggest Evans fan, but he can contribute a lot more than Eddie can at this point

[Realmavsman]

I don't know what is so special about Maurice Evans. He is not that great and he is 30 years old. I don't know why is any better of an option than Stack, Wright, Green or Jones.

Now if you were talking Azibuke then that would be amazing. But Evans is nothing special.

[Captain_Obvious]

From the GS board:


One guy is playing in a Nelson offense. Evans is equal/better than Azubuike. Of course the latter is younger but we compete now anyways.

[JapanAir21]

Evans is much better than Kelenna IMO. Evans is stronger, bigger, and more athletic. I think he could start for us, but I don't think there's any way we could get him.


Just a pipe dream.

[myconsumerclub]

No way to get him is right and even if you could I think either Wright or Green is breaking out this year.

[JES12]

Stats can lie.

If you don't believe me, compare Stackhouse vs Stucky or Travis Outlaw vs Tayshaun Prince. Stack & Outlaw are both better if you go by stats.

That said, Evans sucked in LA and exceled in Orlando. Azubuike seemed to get off to a good start and slowed towards the end.

In all 3 comparisions, I'd take the younger one...Outlaw over Prince, Stucky over Stack and Azubuike over Evans.

BTW, stats don't lie on Diop > Ben Wallace

[mavsfoty]

DB. com updated the article last night.

(Two updates, at 716pm, july 24 2008 . ...)

One, the Warriors have decided to keep Azibuike. Two, the Mavs did indeed investigate Evans, DB.com learned on Thursday. But they are convinced he failed to sign his GS offer because he has a better offer elsewhere -- and one that can promise him more playing time than Dallas thinks he merits.

So that rules him out I guess.

[Captain_Obvious]

Who can promise more playing time than us? I can only think of Cleveland and , if Parker leaves, Toronto.

[Blind0188]

So if the Mavs can do this, and they want shooters can they make this offer to Vujacic before he bolts to Europe?

[Realmavsman]

Stats can lie.

If you don't believe me, compare Stackhouse vs Stucky or Travis Outlaw vs Tayshaun Prince. Stack & Outlaw are both better if you go by stats.

That said, Evans sucked in LA and exceled in Orlando. Azubuike seemed to get off to a good start and slowed towards the end.

In all 3 comparisions, I'd take the younger one...Outlaw over Prince, Stucky over Stack and Azubuike over Evans.

BTW, stats don't lie on Diop > Ben Wallace

I could not agree more. I also would take the younger guy in every case. Evans is what he is. He is not going to get any better. Azubuike is just starting to come into his own and he will likely be a better player than Evans.

By the way for those bagging on Gerald Green. Take a look at the progression of Travis Outlaw. I don't know of too many people who wouldn't want Travis Outlaw on thier team right now. There are some similarities in that people said Outlaw was an athletic freak who did not really know how to play the whole game. Anyway I see the same sort of progression happening with Gerald Green.

[Pointguard01]

You have everything that you would want in a young player to become a star. Most athletic players struggle with their shot and rely just on athleticism (Darius Miles, Ronnie Brewer, Travis Outlaw at one point, Trevor Ariza). And then most good shooter dont have the athleticism to stay on the court (Redick, Morrison, ect). Green is as athletic as they come and his shooting stroke is really good. Its all about him putting it together. And from what most boston/minny fans say, he wants to be good and works hard, but he just gets frustrated when things dont go well. I love the fact we got him with no risk at all and have a chance to get a player who could develop into something special.

[your_dallas_mavericks]

Stats can lie.

But my friend, you and I both know that Stats can be deceiving...

[HMFFL]

Atlanta has signed Evans to a three year deal. They expect him to fill the void of Josh Childress.