Maurice Evans to the Spurs?

[SpursFan]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA072305.1D.BKNspurs.brown.eb2ae8.html

Spurs officials, so far, appear hesitant on giving [Devin] Brown much of a raise beyond the $700,000 he made last season until they better determine his health and market value, as well as assess their other free-agent options.

Sacramento guard Maurice Evans, also a restricted free agent, is among those options. After averaging 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 65 games last season for the Kings, Evans has "significant interest" in joining the Spurs, his agent said Friday.

The Spurs know Evans well. He played the 2000-01 season at the University of Texas, works out at the Spurs' practice facility during the summer and recently purchased a home in San Antonio.

"He really likes it here," said Evans' San Antonio-based agent, Roger Montgomery. "Obviously, he's still a restricted free agent, but I think he would be a good fit with the Spurs. We'll just have to see what happens."

Having already agreed to three-year contracts with Robert Horry and Fabricio Oberto, the Spurs have about half of their $5 million midlevel exception remaining, as well as a lesser $1.6 million exception. The Kings, who would have 15 days to match any offer sheet Evans signs, may be less interested in keeping him after agreeing Friday to acquire swingman Bonzi Wells from Memphis.

Like Brown, Evans is 26 years old and measures 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. While Evans is slightly more explosive, one scout considers Brown a little better all-around player.

Hi, just wanted to ask you guys a question.

I've probably seen Maurice play maybe six times total last season, 4 times against the Spurs, and I was fairly impressed with the guy.

Question: What type of player is he? I know he hustles and has some athletism but how's his defense? And in your opinion, is he better than Devin Brown?

 

[mbkings10]

I haven't really seen Devin Brown play so I can't compare, but Mo is a good role player. He could thrive in a place like San Antonio where he can feed off Duncan, Ginobli and Parker. He has great athleticism, all out hustle, explosive around the basket but can make the open jumper. He is a decent defender, he played well against Allen in game 5 where he didn't back down and made Allen work for his points, but I think he can become a pretty good defender with Pop as his coach and playing behind somebody like Bowen. He is still a bit raw, but could turn out to be a great role player and maybe even a replacement for Bowen down the road.

 

[Kings113]

I think he'd fit in well just about anywhere... if he goes to the Spurs, I'd like that, Spurs are in my top 3 favorite teams.

Mo also said he loves it in Sac in an interview.

I still think Martin could be involved in a trade (obviously with other players). He isn't untradeable .

 

[sono]

His defense is good, he can keep up almost with everyone. The only problem is he's tend to get into foul playing one-on-one against experienced players such as Allen.

 

[10bibby10]

Question: What type of player is he? I know he hustles and has some athletism but how's his defense? And in your opinion, is he better than Devin Brown?

hi...im a sac fan but i live in sa so i get to see all the spurs games...im a bigg D.brown fan cuz i go to UTSA and hes from there...but if i had to compare them i would say Mo has alot more explosiveness although dbrown can explode too and also hes a tad bit quicker than devin is, but their hustle is almost the same, both seem like they are driven to perform at top level no matter what...but the big difference i think is that dbrown has a much better jumpshot and three point shot than Mo...although Mo can hit threes occasionally...if i had to compare him to one player on the spurs it would be bruce bowen, because i think he will be more of a defensive player for yall and only score 5-10 ppg. he has much more explosiveness than bowen though and they are both quick...so if he does come i see him being bowens backup...and dbrown being ginobli's back up

 

[Kev.in]

Hi, just wanted to ask you guys a question.

I've probably seen Maurice play maybe six times total last season, 4 times against the Spurs, and I was fairly impressed with the guy.

Question: What type of player is he? I know he hustles and has some athletism but how's his defense? And in your opinion, is he better than Devin Brown?

He's sort of like Desmond Mason. Obviously not as offensively talented as Mason, but I'd say he's a better man-to-man defender. He can really get after a guy defensively and is pretty versatile. Usually guys in that 6'5" 200lbs range like Mo have trouble defending anyone smaller or bigger than a 2-guard but that's no problem with Evans. He will have some situations where he picks up fouls because of how tight he plays his man, but that could change if he goes from a soft whining team (the Kings) to a team known for physical team defense (the Spurs). He does have one clear weakness on defense, but it is correctable, and it's that he doesn't stay on his feet when his man gives him a head/ball fake. Part of that is probably his aggressiveness making him over-commit, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs coached that out of him.

Offensively he's a little bit limited because his ballhandling isn't the greatest but he knows his limitations so he uses his dribble conservatively. He's a decent spot-up shooter and the 3 from the corner is his most comfortable spot (just like Bowen! :\). When he has the ball around the bucket, he's going to do whatever he can to make the shot go down. I'll really miss that, one of the few Kings with above-average finishing ability. When he gets to running out on the wing, he can go up and get (almost) any alleyoop but the Kings would throw lob passes out of bounds trying too hard to set up a great play. If he's running the wing on the break and you see him with a clear path to the basket, just make the simple pass and he'll be absolutely sure it goes down. When given minutes, he actually showed some flashes of being able to pull up off the dribble and hit a mid-range jumper. If he develops that (and his ballhandling) a bit more he could be a low double figures scoring starter in the NBA.

I think he's better than Devin Brown and has a higher ceiling of achievement when you consider his work ethic and physical gifts. From what I saw of Brown last season, his confidence isn't what it was the season before. I think that affects him, becuase you see him hesitating with the ball or being too self-aware on defense. Evans is a well-traveled and smart ballplayer who I don't think you'll ever see lacking in confidence. He might play conservatively or strive to be part of the system, but it won't be because he's scared or not sure of himself.

He's a player that (based off recent history) you know will work hard to improve. He's obviously better than the Mo Evans of two seasons ago and in two more seasons I bet he'll be clearly improved from now. He probably will be a Spur and my biggest fear is that he turns into a more athletic version of Bruce Bowen in a year or two and takes over Bowen's starting spot.

 

[Bricklayer]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA072305.1D.BKNspurs.brown.eb2ae8.html



Hi, just wanted to ask you guys a question.

I've probably seen Maurice play maybe six times total last season, 4 times against the Spurs, and I was fairly impressed with the guy.

Question: What type of player is he? I know he hustles and has some athletism but how's his defense? And in your opinion, is he better than Devin Brown?

Roleplayer's game, but a pretty good one. Not a great ballhandler, and when he gets in trouble its when he gets too excited and tries to create his own offense. But normally avoids that, plays within himself, spots up for open jumpers off the kick, and of course can REALLY finish above the rim. Also loves the alley oop although I think he's otherwise a more mature and settled player than that. Defensively had some real notable stands for us -- once completely locking down Stephon Marbury for an entire 4th quarter after the guy had just been torching us, but not sure he is consistently that great. Average at least though, and has all the physical tools to be better than that. Place where he can really be exciting is on the boards -- when he gets on a roll he's like a minature Rodman and will just be flying all over the court chasing down every ball. Biggest problem for him last year was just inconsistency. He would have a huge game for us one night, and then come back the next and score 3pts.

Think he could do real well in the Spurs system, the biggest question I would just have is whetehr he's going to develop the consistency to be a force every night out, or just continue to give you flashes of brilliance interspersed with games of invisibility. Could just be a youth thing, although note he is not THAT young (26 going on 27), and his overall maturity is actually one of his plusses.

 

[nbrans]

\Defensively had some real notable stands for us -- once completely locking down Stephon Marbury for an entire 4th quarter after the guy had just been torching us, but not sure he is consistently that great. .

I was at that game in Madison Square Garden -- he singlehandedly destroyed the Knicks. People were going crazy, saying who is that guy??

I think with consistent minutes Evans will be an amazing roleplayer, and I would HATE it if the Spurs picked him up. I'd much rather if Martin or Garcia were dangled in a trade and we still find a way to resign Evans.

 

[BigSong]

Evans is a guy that if he was 3-4 inches taller would be a good player. Other than that though he simply doesnt have the skill set to be an og. It's taken him til 26 to get this far and people think he'll somehow improve markedly in a year or too? Doubt it.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

If we lose Mo Evans, we lose exactly the kind of role player we're looking for in the first place, so in my estimation: RE-SIGN MO!

 

[Bballkingsrock]

I would save the money of signing Mo Evans and get someone else like a Big man, since we want Kevin martin to take the role of being a bench player. WE need to save that money for getting a Eddie Griffin or Dale Davis, etc. Just a big man that can rebound, can do good D, and rebound. Nothiong more.

 

[Bricklayer]

If we lose Mo Evans, we lose exactly the kind of role player we're looking for in the first place, so in my estimation: RE-SIGN MO!

Well, if we resign him now, basically one of the kids has to go (assuming there is no major Peja move or whatever). That's the cost. With Bonzi on board, and two guys already behind him on the depth chart, resigning Mo means losing one of the kids to make room. I would think Kevin because he is not as versatile -- Cisco might be able to play a little 1 or 3, and Mo can play a little 3. Kevin's a 2.

So its not really "do we like Mo" anymore. Its "is resigning Mo worth losing Kevin?" An additional difficulty is that my understanding was that resigning Mo would cut into our MLE. That we really can NOT do.

 

[funkykingston]

I like Mo a lot, but with the drafting of Garcia and the trade for Wells there just aren't enough minutes to go around. I'd rather have Martin than Evans as it stands now simply because Kevin has a more rounded offensive game as a contributor off the bench and is a nice change of pace from Bonzi.

I will miss his rebounding from the off guard spot though.

 

[John Galt]

Evans is exciting - for my money he is the King's most electric alleyoop finisher since TAW. I will miss him - no way he stays with the acquisition of Bonzi.

 

[Kings113]

I was at that game in Madison Square Garden -- he singlehandedly destroyed the Knicks. People were going crazy, saying who is that guy??

I think with consistent minutes Evans will be an amazing roleplayer, and I would HATE it if the Spurs picked him up. I'd much rather if Martin or Garcia were dangled in a trade and we still find a way to resign Evans.

Exactly..

BTW, there isn't "no ways" yet until he agrees to a deal with the Spurs or another team. Not like Martin can't be traded away as stated, "no player" is untradeable.

If I had to choose, I'd take Evans over Martin any day. Mo's working on his game more over the summer for sure.

 

[SlimKid15]

I like Mo a lot, but with the drafting of Garcia and the trade for Wells there just aren't enough minutes to go around. I'd rather have Martin than Evans as it stands now simply because Kevin has a more rounded offensive game as a contributor off the bench and is a nice change of pace from Bonzi.

I will miss his rebounding from the off guard spot though.

Why not just sign Mo to back up peja he did allright last year as a SF. Then trade corlis. Then he wouldn't have to fight martin for minutes.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Well, if we resign him now, basically one of the kids has to go (assuming there is no major Peja move or whatever). That's the cost. With Bonzi on board, and two guys already behind him on the depth chart, resigning Mo means losing one of the kids to make room. I would think Kevin because he is not as versatile -- Cisco might be able to play a little 1 or 3, and Mo can play a little 3. Kevin's a 2.

So its not really "do we like Mo" anymore. Its "is resigning Mo worth losing Kevin?" An additional difficulty is that my understanding was that resigning Mo would cut into our MLE. That we really can NOT do.

I couldnt agree more, I just dont know which way Geoff is going to go next...hmmm...we have Bonzi, Kevin, Cisco and Mo at the 2...damn if that aint a log jam.

 

[Kings113]

I'd be fine if Martin stayed, but I think he could well be used in a trade.

Especially if Kenyon Martin is coming to Sac.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Hate to see a player walk, hopefully the Kings can pull a sign and trade, but at this point some 2 gaurds have to go. Spurs fans will love the guy... very exciting to watch!

 

[SlimKid15]

I'd be fine if Martin stayed, but I think he could well be used in a trade.

Especially if Kenyon Martin is coming to Sac.

Is that really a rumor about Kenyon, Cause i saw someone else talking about it too?

 

[thesanityannex]

I hope if Mo has to go, it is anywhere but San Antonio.

 

[love_them_kings]

I hope if Mo has to go, it is anywhere but San Antonio.

my thoughts exactly.

 

[BigSong]

I hope if Mo has to go, it is anywhere but San Antonio.

only the good roleplayers go to San Antonio.

 

[Kings113]

Is that really a rumor about Kenyon, Cause i saw someone else talking about it too?

Well, what I posted was just a joke, but yeah it was based off the talk from captain bill/nbrans

only the good roleplayers go to San Antonio.

Tony Massenburg isn't good.

 

[BigSong]

Tony Massenburg isn't good.

well theres always an exception to the rule. Besides he started his career in SA, fitting that he might end it there............30 teams later.

 

[BobbyJ_for3!]

i dunno if anyone has said this yet but...

WHY!!!!???

S.A. ends up with a bunch of good role players.....

why do teams let guys like that go, and why is S.A. so lucky...we're better fans than them, we deserve that (lmao...)

 

[Kings113]

I think we should keep Mo, as I think Martin is gonna be used in a trade. He'd be our energy guy off the bench. Not only that, but he'd help our defense and bench depth, and would do the same for any other team, especially the loaded Spurs.

 

[hrdboild]

Corliss is gone in two years and he's not going to get any better. If he doesn't get traded, he's hopefully an end of the bench guy. He's our only backup at SF right now. Considering Evans, Cisco, and Martin can all play SF too, I think there's enough minutes for all of them (and we all know Cisco's only going to get garbage time this year anyway). Evans is more proven than Martin or Garcia. And he actually plays defense which we need off the bench. I say we reward him for his play here last season and sign him to a contract. Don't let him walk and blow up for some other team (like Wallace did).

 

[Kings113]

Corliss is gone in two years and he's not going to get any better. If he doesn't get traded, he's hopefully an end of the bench guy. He's our only backup at SF right now. Considering Evans, Cisco, and Martin can all play SF too, I think there's enough minutes for all of them (and we all know Cisco's only going to get garbage time this year anyway). Evans is more proven than Martin or Garcia. And he actually plays defense which we need off the bench. I say we reward him for his play here last season and sign him to a contract. Don't let him walk and blow up for some other team (like Wallace did).

Spot on, man.

 

[PixelPusher]

It would be just like the Spurs to pick up yet another quality supporting cast player, like when they added Nazr Mohammed mid season. It's too bad Isiah Thomas doesn't have anyone left on the Knicks we want that Petrie could Jedi mind trick him into trading.