Potential Pistons FA target Tyreke Evans suspended by NBA for two years

Tyreke Evans has been suspended by the NBA for two years for violating the league’s anti-drug program, the league announced late Friday.

The league and players association are not allowed to comment or disclose information about testing or treatment of a player, the league noted in the release it sent out.

The Detroit Pistons likely had Evans on their short list this offseason as they searched for playmaking and wing depth.

That pales in comparison to Evans’ overall health and well-being, of course, but I know a lot of Pistons fans were interested in seeming him in red, white and blue even after his on-court struggles this past season.

Following a comeback season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Evans signed with the Indiana Pacers to play a key role off the bench. He struggled mightily all year. In his first and only season with the Pacers, Evans averaged a career low in in points, free-throw attempt rate, free-throw percentage, rebounds, assists and steals.

Evans’ surprise suspension brings to mind what happened to OJ Mayo three years ago. Mayo, never known for taking care of himself, was suspended by the NBA in 2016 for two years for violating the same clause in the CBA.

Mayo attempted a comeback prior to this past season, but he didn’t catch on with any roster. He ended up playing with clubs in Puerto Rico, Taiwan and China in the past year.

Evans faces similar odds to make it back onto an NBA court. While he’s better than Mayo, even accounting for his struggles this past season, he will be 32 years old by the time he is eligible to see an NBA court again.