The NBA announced that veteran guard Tyreke Evans’ time in the league has come to an end for now. According to a release, Evans, who spent last season in a largely reserve role for the Indiana Pacers, violated the NBA/NBPA’s Anti-Drug Program, which carries a dismissal and disqualification from the league.
#NBA pic.twitter.com/HKKoyV2O4i
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) May 17, 2019
The details surrounding what happened with Evans are murky, as there isn’t anything else out there regarding what led to the ban. However, Mark Deeks of Sky Sports NBA singled out where in the rulebook it says what has to happen for a player to be on the receiving end of this.
— Mark Deeks (@MarkDeeksNBA) May 17, 2019
In response to the news, the Pacers released a statement saying they learned of the dismissal today and that Evans will receive their support as he’s going through whatever is going on.
Statement on Tyreke Evans: https://t.co/0n2WI4zN3G pic.twitter.com/F7d2tFLrD8
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 17, 2019
This is hardly the first time the league has done this, although it is rare. The most notable example of this might be O.J. Mayo’s ban that was handed down in 2016, while Chris “Birdman” Andersen received a ban back in 2006. As you can glean from Andersen’s experience and from the league’s statement, a player can potentially get this ban overturned after two years, although they need to apply for reinstatement from the league.
Evans, the 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year, just completed his 10th season in the Association. In addition to the Pacers, Evans has suited up for the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies, with career averages of 15.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Evans was slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he turns 30 this September.
