Tyreke Evans headed to Pelicans in three-team deal
The New Orleans Pelicans have reached agreement on a three-way deal with Sacramento and Portland to acquire guard Tyreke Evans, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
As part of a sign-and-trade arrangement, Evans will come to the Pelicans on a four-year, $44 million contract. New Orleans will send guard Greivis Vasquez to the Kings and center Robin Lopez to the Trail Blazers, sources said.
Portland will send the draft rights to center Jeff Withey to the Pelicans and a future second-round pick to Sacramento.
The trade came after free-agent point guard Jose Calderon rejected a contract offer from the Kings, league sources said. The Kings had hoped to sign Calderon and trade Vasquez to another team.
The threat of a four-year, $44 million offer sheet to Evans, a restricted free agent, prompted New Orleans and Sacramento to work out an agreement. Calderon will continue to negotiate for a return to Detroit, sources said, as well as negotiate elsewhere in the NBA.
The deal can't be made official until July 10.
Evans, 23, averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Kings last season.
Vasquez was one of the NBA's most improved players last season, a fast-rising playmaker who averaged 13.9 points and nine assists for the Pelicans. He has a chance to become the Kings' starting point guard.
The Blazers needed a veteran center to plug into the lineup, and Lopez gives them a solid defender and rim protector. He has two years and $11 million left on an affordable contract.
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