Jacob Evans is going to get that NBA money. He declared for the draft and now he has signed an agent and will take part in the NBA combine, which starts today in Chicago. As this has been happening, the NBA Draft order was officially locked in last night. The lottery section won’t really affect Evans since he was never projected to go in the top 10. Most mock drafts have him going in the low 20s, with our pal Ricky O’Donnell of the SB Nation mothership actually projecting him as the No. 19 pick. Taking a look at the teams grouped in that area, what would be the best situation for Evans to find himself in?
No. 19 - Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks were really bad last season, going 24-58 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007. It would be interesting to see how Evans would fit into the Hawks’ rotation since they have a similar player in Kent Bazemore. The five-year veteran is a 6’5” small forward who can hit threes and defend pretty well, just like Evans. Taurean Prince is another guy that could block Evans a bit, but when your team just won only 24 games, there would likely be at least some chances for the Bearcats’ leading scorer to play.
No. 20 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Can somebody explain to me why the Timberwolves aren’t better? Karl Anthony-Towns is a top 10 player in the league and Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, Jeff Teague and Gorgui Dieng are all very good as well. They won 47 games last season and made the playoffs and with a veteran player like Butler on the squad, Evans could certainly learn quite a bit. Maybe Evans could even push them above the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
No. 21 - Utah Jazz
Who wouldn’t want to go play with Donovan Mitchell? Add in the fact that the Jazz could use more depth on the wings and play excellent defense and you realize Evans would fit in quite nicely after being forged in the defensive clinic at Cincinnati.
No. 22 - Chicago Bulls
This could be both awesome or terrible. There would be plenty of playing time to be had since the roster is pretty thin on must-play guys, plus Evans could be teammates with another former Bearcat in Sean Kilpatrick. However, since Evans and Kilpatrick play similar positions, if the Bulls draft Evans it could spell bad things for SK. Obviously Evans isn’t responsible for Kilpatrick’s career but I would prefer a world where more Bearcats are in the NBA.
No. 23 - Indiana Pacers
Another Bearcat connection, with Lance Stephenson a key member of the Pacers’ lineup. Evans could team with Victor Oladipo to form a flexible and pretty versatile wing combination for a team that is seemingly on the rise.
No. 24 - Portland Trail Blazers
Well the color scheme lines up, but I feel like the Blazers are pretty set in the backcourt, which might make Evans have to struggle to get many chances. Granted, he is a much different player than Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, and could provide defense and a kickout shooting option for guards who can slash and distribute, so this could still work.
No. 25 - Los Angeles Lakers
I hope not.
No. 26 - Philadelphia 76ers
Could Evans be part of The Process? Since Ben Simmons can’t shoot (at least against the Boston Celtics) so it could be useful to have a guy like Evans who can. Plus, Evans could very well turn into another Robert Covington.
No. 27 - Boston Celtics
If the Celtics want to perfect a positionless lineup, Evans would be a solid addition. Teaming with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and eventually Gordon Hayward, Evans would create a rotation of wing players that could really do it all.
No. 28 - Golden State Warriors
Playing for the best team in the league can never be a bad thing, although Evans would certainly have to develop and wait for a chance to play. Still, he could end up with a ring as a rookie. That’d be neat.
No. 29 - Brooklyn Nets
The Nets waived Kilpatrick for Nik Stauskas and Jahlil Okafor. They are dead to me.
No. 30 - Atlanta Hawks
We already did this.
Where would you like to see Evans wind up?