The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly taking a closer look at a former Rookie of the Year to fill their final roster spot before the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
As recently reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Tyreke Evans will sign a G-League contract and is expected to join with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ affiliate. Since Evans has been out of the league for the past three seasons due to violating the Anti-Drug Program in 2019, this unique set of circumstances will give the defending champions an opportunity to better evaluate him and consider bringing him aboard. From the moment it was announced that the Bucks hosted Evans for a workout Evans several weeks ago, this has been an interesting story to follow, and it might just be getting started.
Some might question Milwaukee’s interest in a player that has not suited up at the professional level for three years now, which is justifiable. However, given Milwaukee’s active track record of mid-season additions this year, fans should have faith in general manager Jon Horst and the rest of Milwaukee’s front office as they ponder this move. After all, if some of their other moves say anything, it is that the Bucks have an eye for finding hidden gems.
Looking at some of the Milwaukee Bucks’ hidden gem additions this season and whether Tyreke Evans could be next
When looking at players that could be considered hidden gems for the Bucks this season, three players that come to mind are Wesley Matthews, DeMarcus Cousins, and Jevon Carter.
Before signing with the Bucks in December, Matthews was sitting at home waiting for his phone to ring, which eventually came from his hometown team. While he has struggled to find a groove on the offensive end for a good chunk of his tenure, Matthews has turned into a legitimate piece of Milwaukee’s rotation due to his stellar defense. The swingman has been a luxury for the Bucks on that side of the ball, oftentimes being assigned to guard top-tier opposing scorers to alleviate pressure off the team’s other defenders. The veteran has not been a needle-tipping addition, but Matthews certainly deserved to be on a team this season and could be an X-factor down the line.
As for Cousins, he was also waiting for an opportunity before the Bucks brought him aboard back in early December. With starting center Brook Lopez set to undergo back surgery, the team was in need of some size, and calling Cousins proved to be a wise move. The big man played great during his 17 games with the franchise, proving that he deserved to be in the NBA this season. Given his strong play with the Bucks, it was surprising when the team waived him to maintain flexibility with the trade deadline on the horizon, a move that left most fans puzzled. However, Cousins received another opportunity immediately as he has turned into a big contributor for the Denver Nuggets.
Lastly, Carter is the latest hidden gem that the Bucks picked up this season. After being waived by the Brooklyn Nets, the 26-year-old guard signed with the Bucks to shore up their backcourt depth in a move that not many people batted an eye at. Carter said in his introductory press conference that teams were not calling him before the Bucks did, which has seemingly lit a fire beneath him in his first 10 games with the team. The defensive ace has given Milwaukee a noticeable boost on that side of the basketball, picking up the opposing ball-handlers full court and hounding them on every possession. His offensive production has been a welcoming surprise as well as Carter is now averaging a career-high 5.6 points per game while shooting 58.3 percent from three to this point.
These three all proved to be pleasant surprises for the Bucks. While that does not guarantee that anyone else that comes in will be, it does provide optimism, as it shows that the front office does their homework. That is why adding a piece like Evans to put the final touches on the roster would be such an interesting move for the defending champions. Though he has been out of the NBA for three years, Evans is still just 32-years-old and still has some gas left in the tank. He was a lethal scorer during his 10-year career, and second unit scoring just so happens to be one of the biggest weaknesses for the Milwaukee Bucks this season.
If the former Rookie of the Year turns heads in the G-League and earns a spot with the Bucks, he could potentially be the next hidden gem for the franchise.
Stay tuned to see how the Evans saga transpires as the Milwaukee Bucks fill out their roster.