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Going from a highly-prized prospect his rookie season in Sacramento to potential trade bait over the span of a little more than three NBA seasons may be taking its toll on the 23-year-old Evans. “I don’t know yet,” Evans told HOOPSWORLD of his future with the Kings. “It’s still early. I’m just going to keep playing and see what happens from there. I got the Sacramento Kings, and the fans have been great to me since I’ve been here, so let’s see what happens.” HoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Trade, Tyreke Evans 

Despite his own uncertainty about his future in Sacramento, Evans says his relationship with Smart has helped to alleviate some of the uneasiness he’s felt with the organization. “Yeah, definitely,” Evans said. “[Smart] put me at the three, and now I’m back at the two. So I just found a way to play to my best that I can do and I just go out there and play hard every night. That’s what I’ve been doing.” HoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Trade, Tyreke Evans 

Derek Page: However, Evans told @HOOPSWORLD pregame that he is still uncertain about his future with #Kings. Twitter @DPageHoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

For just the third time this season, the Sacramento Kings played without Tyreke Evans in their lineup. Soreness in his left knee forced him to sit out the Kings’ 91-82 victory over the Orlando Magic yesterday evening. Doc Evans, Tyreke’s older brother, told Cowbell Kingdom that the Kings starting shooting guard underwent an MRI on his left knee yesterday morning. The results came back negative for any damage. “The MRI was good,” Evans said following Friday night’s game of the medical testing he experienced earlier in the day. “Nothing was torn. It’s just swelling and it’s pretty sore, but that’s pretty much it.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Injuries, Tyreke Evans 

These are the moments, however brief, that remind of Evans as Rookie of the Year, either three seasons or a lifetime ago, of why he may still be an integral part of the rebuilding puzzle. Or of why he could still be traded. The topic is on the clock, especially when he plays like this, because the sides did not reach an agreement on an extension to Evans’ rookie contract by Oct. 31, putting him on schedule to become a restricted free agent on July 1. The decision made perfect sense for the Kings – he was regressing, had no position, and no certain place in the future, and to spend big to lock him up before the Halloween deadline would have been ill-advised. NBA.com

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Trade, Tyreke Evans 

The decision also raised the stakes on trade considerations, because now it was possible to see them losing a starter for nothing in July, if another team reaches deep enough for an offer sheet the Kings do not match. (To say they could simply sign-and-trade their way into a return is an oversimplification. Team X may not offer any assets Sacramento wants, and the Kings certainly won’t take bad contracts back.) He could stay in the summer with a new deal, he could leave without compensation or he could leave in a swap, but new rookie extension means new uncertainty. NBA.com

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Trade, Tyreke Evans 

Jon Santiago: After the win, Tyreke Evans said a year ago, he probably wouldn't have taken those back-to-back 3s that iced the win vs. Toronto. #NBAKings Twitter @itsjonsantiago

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

Jon Santiago: Tyreke also said Raptors bench was yelling at their teammates to leave him open. "I said 'Okay, leave me open. I'ma keep shooting it." Twitter @itsjonsantiago

Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Tyreke Evans 

A year ago, Tyreke Evans would've hesitated to shoot the back-to-back 3s that sealed victory for #NBAKings vs. Raps "I probably would've pump faked. But that just comes with me working out after practice every day just shooting it with confidence. I know I can't make every shot. So, I just try to shoot it the same way every time and hopefully it goes in." Sulia

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

Smart said guard Tyreke Evans should be available for tonight's game against Toronto. Evans, who missed the last two games with a bruised left knee, was held out of parts of practice Tuesday but had a good workout, Smart said. "He came in and did some treadmill work, did some sprint work on the floor and then got up his shots," Smart said. "I just wanted to get him to where he did some change of direction on the floor and ran into someone, but I think he'll be ready to go." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Keith Smart, Injuries, Tyreke Evans 

Designated as the Kings' primary ballhandler and scorer, and burdened with the "future superstar point guard" label mere weeks into his 2009 -10 rookie season, the former Memphis standout was given little direction and virtually no boundaries. He slow-dribbled across midcourt. He dominated the ball while hunting for more shots. He initiated three-on-one fast breaks, and rather than passing ahead to open teammates, he charged into clusters of defenders. "When I used to come through here (as a Warriors coach), my thought was, 'The little nuances as a point guard, he doesn't see,' " Kings coach Keith Smart said. " 'Why is he making this play? Why is he making that play?' " Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

"People say, 'Maybe it's (his progress) because he's in a deal year,' " Smart said. "I don't think so. I think he's too genuine for that. He's a genuine guy. He just loves to play ball." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

Evans loves to play ball. He loves the entire scene – the camaraderie in the locker room, the quiet chats with teammates, the post-practice shooting duels, the sense of belonging. While Evans' skills have been dissected and at times harshly critiqued within his own locker room, his teammates' affection and fondness have never wavered. "And, now, having his mind open up to things … " Smart said, smiling. "Give credit to him for his work ethic and keeping his head on his shoulder." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

So you want Tyreke Evans? You are going to have to take either Francisco Garcia’s contract or John Salmons’ deal as well. Garcia’s deal is the most palatable, because the final year is a team option, but it’s become clear that if the Kings are going to move Evans, and sources say they are not there yet, it’s going to have to help them clean up the roster as well as return favorable assets. HoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Trade, John Salmons, Tyreke Evans, Francisco Garcia 

“We’re tired of losing,” said Tyreke Evans. “(Atlanta) came in here and did whatever they wanted, got easy baskets. We worked hard on defense in Colorado and then we come out here at home and in front of our home crowd, we (lose) by 15 or 20 every night.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

Thomas Robinson wasn't in the locker room by time most of the assembled media made it there. But Tyreke Evans said Robinson did apologize to this teammates for his flagrant foul 2 on Detroit's Jonas Jerebko that led to his ejection. “It looked like it was a pretty hard shot,” Evans said. “Thomas said he flopped a little bit but I don’t know.” Sulia

Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans, Jonas Jerebko, Thomas Robinson 

The Oct. 31 deadline for contract extensions for fourth-year first-round draft picks passed with no deal for Tyreke Evans. That was expected, so Evans went about his business as usual for Wednesday's season opener against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. "I'm just going to play," he said. "I'm not worried about an extension right now. I'm focused on the team and us winning. It's passed; it's over with. Now I've just got to worry about this game." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

It’s not looking good for Tyreke Evans and an extension. That does not mean he’s out in Sacramento, but what it does mean is it’s more likely that Tyreke gets a qualifying offer in July and the Kings see what his value is on the open market. It’s also not out of the question that the Kings try and trade Evans before the Feb. 21 deadline. Sources close to the process say that either way could play out; it is all about what the Kings are offered for Evans. HoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

The belief around the team is that management does not view Evans as a franchise guy for them, and while they like him and hope for big things this year from him, they are not sold he’s someone they will invest major money in, meaning an extension, unless its heavily in Sacramento’s favor is unlikely. HoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans 

Sources close to Evans says he’d welcome the idea of free agency if only to find a situation that believes in him as a player. Kings coach Keith Smart continues to say he expects big things from Tyreke this season, so his future, especially in Sacramento is likely tied to this season. HoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Tyreke Evans