Pelicans' Tyreke Evans: Could be back by early December

Evans (knee) recently indicated that he's feeling pain free and could make his season debut in the first week of December, Jennifer Hale of FOX Sports New Orleans reports.

Analysis:

Evans was cleared to resume on-court activities Tuesday in his return from a February procedure on his right knee, and at this point, it appears the former Rookie of the Year is just working to regain conditioning. The combo guard was excellent while healthy last season with averages of 15.2 points, 6.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game over his 25 appearances, but since the knee has been problematic throughout his career -- the February surgery was his third procedure in a nine-month span -- the Pelicans are expected to hold him under significant restrictions. According to Hale, Evans will likely be limited to 16-to-20 minutes per game upon his return, and it's uncertain how long it will take for that restriction to be lifted. Evans still makes for an interesting pickup in deeper leagues where's available, but expectations should be held in check.