What It Means:

This is a tough blow for Evans and the Pelicans, but it sounds like the wise decision because there is no reason for him to play at less than 100 percent in what has become a lost season for New Orleans. This could have a significant impact on the Pelicans at the trade deadline as they may be more willing to become sellers. If Evans goes through with the surgery, Jrue Holiday and Norris Cole look like the primary beneficiaries, while Bryce Dejean-Jones could be signed for the remainder of the season.

Evans' -0.5 nERD ranks 81st in the NBA, and he's only managed to play 25 games so far this season. He's averaging 15.2 points, 6.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game with a 53.4 True Shooting Percentage, which is the second-best clip of his career.