Tyreke Evans Willing to Come Off the Bench for the New Orleans Pelicans

His role on a new team has yet to be defined, but there’s talk of Tyreke Evans coming off the bench for the New Orleans Pelicans. The former Rookie of the Year says that’s no problem at all. Per the Sporting News: “It’s been more than two weeks since Evans first agreed to a four-year, $48 million offer sheet from the New Orleans Pelicans, a surprise move for many around the league given that they had just traded for point guard Jrue Holiday and already have $14 million-per-year shooting guard Eric Gordon on hand. At the time, the Pelicans sold Evans’ camp on the notion of him playing a do-it-all Manu Ginobili-type role, but coach Monty Williams also held out the possibility that Evans will be the team’s starting small forward. Last season’s starter at that position, Al-Farouq Aminu, was re-signed, but only on a one-year deal worth $3.7 million. Evans himself remains unsure about his role. He has spoken with Williams — who professes to love Evans’ game and, according to Evans, has been drawing up plays for him. But the Pelicans they have not addressed his role or the team’s specific plans for Evans. He is aware of the Ginobili comparison, though. ‘I haven’t talked to the coaches or anything like that but that’s what they’ve been saying,’ Evans said. ‘When the season starts, I don’t know how things will go. Whatever role I am playing, I am definitely looking forward to it. I am going to go out there and play hard and try to win games.’ Asked if he would have no problem coming off the bench for the Pelicans, Evans said, ‘Yeah, definitely. I have never been worried about where I am playing. I am just happy to be in the situation and that everything has been worked out.’ […] Evans did, quietly, put together a very good 2012-13 season, averaging 15.2 points while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 33.8 percent (not great, but easily a career high) from the 3-point line. Through all of that, Evans developed a reputation for connecting with the community. In fact, even after he agreed to the deal with the Pelicans, one of Evans’ last acts in Sacramento was to run his basketball camp, which took place last week and served 150 at-risk youngsters, for the third consecutive year. As part of the camp, Evans borrowed a program he had seen in classrooms back in his hometown of Chester, Pa., offering all the children in his camp free eye exams through VSP Vision Care. He will miss those connections he made over the years. ‘It will be difficult,’ he said. ‘Sac was my first home when I got to the NBA. The fans are great there, playing in that arena, with the fans there, they are die-hard Sacramento fans. They already showed me the appreciation when I was there. It is definitely going to be a little rough leaving there especially the year. I am going to miss Sacramento, but at the end of the day, it is a business and I have to just move forward with my career and continue to be successful.'”