Maurice Evans signed with the Detroit Pistons and is expected to provide depth behind starting small forward Tayshaun Prince and shooting guard Richard Hamilton.
"Maurice is the kind of player we think is going to fit in with our team and our culture," president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said Saturday. "Maurice brings a really strong competitive streak with him and can play two positions for us."
Detroit signed Evans on Friday, nine days after they extended an offer sheet to the 6-foot-5 Sacramento swingman. The Kings needed to match the three-year contract worth about $4.5 million to retain the restricted free agent, but they weren't expected to after signing Shareef Abdur-Rahim earlier this month.
Evans, a solid defender, averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 19 minutes in 65 games, including 11 starts. He made similar contributions in the playoffs last season with the Kings.
This offseason, the Pistons were interested in signing free agent Michael Finley and briefly considered adding free agent Latrell Sprewell. But Finley made it clear he didn't want to play for the Pistons before signing with San Antonio, and they decided to not sign Sprewell.
Evans began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2001-02 season, playing 10 games for Detroit coach Flip Saunders. After that brief stint in the NBA, he played in Europe before making Sacramento's roster last season.
The Pistons signed the 26-year-old Evans to an offer sheet one day after signing Dale Davis to a two-year, $7 million contract. They used part of their mid-level exception to sign Davis, keeping money available for Evans.
"We like the fact that he is young, athletic and ready to step on the floor and help us immediately," Dumars said.
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