New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps received a commitment from Tyreke Evans that he would sign a four-year, $44 million offer sheet on July 10, a source told Yahoo! Sports. The Sacramento Kings could match the deal since Evans is a restricted free agent.

The potential addition of Evans and New Orleans' draft night trade that landed Jrue Holiday have improved Eric Gordon's outlook on New Orleans.

“I’m all in with the Pelicans,” said Gordon, who has been friends with Holiday and Evans since their AAU days. “It would be great if we can all play together. I would say we’d definitely have a chance to make the playoffs."

Gordon could be part of a sign-and-trade to bring Evans to New Orleans. His high salary – he signed a $58 million deal over four seasons last summer – and knee/ankle injury woes would make him tough to deal, but the Pelicans entertained the possibility this offseason, sources said. The Kings also drafted a shooting guard in Kansas’ Ben McLemore with the seventh overall pick. While Gordon and point guard Greivis Vasquez could be candidates for a sign-and-trade, Gordon doesn’t expect that to be the case for him.

“I wouldn’t say I’m 100 percent, but I do feel comfortable I am coming back,” Gordon said. “I think there is a good to great chance I will be back.”

Gordon averaged a team-high 17 points in 42 games last season, but had left ankle surgery on May 10. Gordon said he should be cleared to begin basketball activities next week.





– Marc Spears, 2:12 a.m. ET, July 4





Josh Smith in no rush to make decision

Atlanta Hawks free-agent forward Josh Smith won’t decide where to sign until after the Fourth of July holiday weekend, at the earliest, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Smith left Los Angeles to return to his hometown of Atlanta on Wednesday after meeting with the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. He isn’t in a rush to decide, the source said.

The decision of Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard also plays a role in Smith’s future. The Rockets have told Smith that if they don’t land Howard, they will attempt to sign him next, a source said. The Hawks also could pursue a sign-and-trade to get something in return for Smith leaving.

The Dallas Mavericks met with Howard and have spoken to Philadelphia 76ers free-agent center Andrew Bynum, but they have not met with Smith since the start of free agency, a league source said.

– Marc Spears, 8:33 p.m. ET, July 3









Dorell Wright weighing offers from Thunder, Blazers

Philadelphia 76ers free-agent forward Dorell Wright visited the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and was made contract offers of one and two years, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

The Thunder are looking to replace reserve swingman Kevin Martin, who is signing as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wright was offered similar contracts by the Portland Trail Blazers, but is hoping to get a deal with more years and money, a source said.

Wright averaged 9.2 points and shot 37.4 percent from 3-point range primarily as a reserve for Philadelphia last season. He has also received interest from San Antonio, Memphis and Dallas, the source said.

– Marc Spears, 3:53 p.m. ET, July 3









Antawn Jamison has cast removed

Los Angeles Lakers free-agent forward Antawn Jamison had a cast removed from his surgically repaired left wrist Tuesday and is expected to be cleared to play in a month, a source said.

Jamison has received inquiries so far from Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Washington, Brooklyn, San Antonio, Memphis and Utah, the source said. The Jazz's interest could grow stronger if they lose forward Paul Millsap in free agency. Jamison, 37, averaged 9.4 points for the Lakers last season.

– Marc Spears, 3:53 p.m. ET, July 3









Is Chauncey Billups gone from Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers' acquisition of J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley could impact whether Chauncey Billups and Matt Barnes return.

Billups started all 22 regular-season games he played at shooting guard for the Clippers last season. Redick is expected to be the Clippers' new starting shooting guard with Jamal Crawford and Willie Green backing him up.

Redick averaged 14.1 points and shot 36.6 percent from 3-point range primarily as a reserve for Milwaukee and the Orlando Magic last season. Billups, 36, has been receiving interest in free agency from the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, a source told Yahoo! Sports.

Story continues