July 10, 2013

The New Orleans Pelicans acquired guard Tyreke Evans from the Sacramento Kings and center Jeff Withey from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade, it was announced today by General Manager Dell Demps.

“We are very excited to welcome Tyreke and Jeff to the Pelicans organization,” said Demps. “They are both young, talented players that fit in our system and can contribute to the success of our team moving forward.”

In the exchange, the Pelicans dealt Robin Lopez and Terrel Harris to Portland and Greivis Vasquez to Sacramento.

Evans, the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, has averaged 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 257 games over the course of four seasons with Sacramento. In 2012-13, the Memphis product averaged 15.2 points per game on a career-high 47.8% field goal shooting. In his first campaign in Sacramento, Evans was named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2009-10 season, while averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Withey, who was selected 39th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, appeared in 117 games with the Kansas Jayhawks over an impressive four year career. In his senior season, Withey set a KU and Big-12 Conference single-season blocks record with 146 blocked shots (3.95 per game). The California native ended his career as the all-time Kansas and Big-12 blocked shots leader with 312 blocks. Additionally, WIthey brought home the 2012 and 2013 Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.