The Indiana Pacers signed Tyreke Evans to an Amazing Contract
By Tony East
What contract comes next for Tyreke Evans?
Evans was simply outstanding in Memphis last season. Barring a complete catastrophe this season, his production won’t be bad enough to erase how useful he was as a Grizzly. Thus, I think he can get another decently sized contract next summer regardless of how well he plays this season.
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That being said, like every payer, he still stands to gain or lose money depending on his play. If he stays healthy for the entire season and puts up similar numbers to his 2017-18 campaign, he could end up getting a huge deal in the summer of 2019. Something like three years, $50-60 million wouldn’t be out of the question. But we have to see the health before that becomes a consideration.
For the Pacers specifically, how Evans plays will be fascinating to watch. His cap hold next summer will be worth monitoring; it will either be $14,760,000 or $14,880,000 depending on whether or not he meets his incentive criteria.
The Pacers will have what is called “non-Bird” rights on Evans next summer, meaning they could sign him to a deal up to three years in length and up to 120 percent of his previous years’salary and they could do so while over the salary cap. If Evans proves his worth and that worth is somewhere between $10 and $14 million, the front office could keep his cap hold on the books next summer, add other free agents, and then re-sign Evans when the timing is right and go over the cap. That would allow them to improve the team and keep Evans if they so choose.
But it is all dependant on his play this season…