Raptors trade Kapono for Reggie Evans

[Pistons < Spurs]

Addressing a need for frontcourt toughness and dealing away a disappointing free-agent acquisition, the Raptors made a trade today, acquiring Reggie Evans from the Philadelphia 76ers for Jason Kapono.

League sources say the trade will be officially announced this afternoon.

Evans, a 6-8, 245-pound power forward, is considered one of the more physical players in the league. Toughness is an aspect of the game Toronto has been lacking for years.

While he's not an offensive threat – averaging just 3.3 points per game last season with the Sixers – his rebounding average of 4.6 boards in just 14 minutes per game should earn him some playing time with Toronto.

Kapono, one of the top three-point shooters in the NBA, never really found a niche with the Raptors, who signed him as a free agent before the 2007-08 season. The 6-8 Kapono averaged just 8.2 points per game and shot only 42 per cent from three-point range last season.

The deal also gives Toronto some financial flexibility.

Evans is owed $4.6 million next season and $5 million in 2010-11 on his contract.

Kapono's deal will pay him $6.2 million this coming season and $6.6 million the season after.



http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59699/20090609/raptors_trade_kapono_for_evans/#

[JamStone]

Reggie likes to grab testicles.

"Only" 42% from three point range? 42% from three is pretty damn good.

Not a bad deal for either team, probably better for the Raptors but fairly insignificant.

[DPG21920]

Korver replacement. Makes sense. Also clears room for Speights.

[Bruno]

It sucks for Pops.

[DPG21920]

It sucks for Pops.

Isn't Pops signing overseas with Maccabi?

[Bruno]

Isn't Pops signing overseas with Maccabi?

IIRC, he will only go to Maccabi if he doesn't sign with a NBA team.

[DPG21920]

Pops did well for the Raptors in his role. He is younger, more athletic and cheaper than Reggie, I am not sure why the Raptors did this except for the purpose of getting rid of Kapono.

Pops is not a great player by any means, but he is a solid rebounder and energy guy and he runs the floor and finishes around the rim well. I never understood how guys like Reggie could stick and not Pops, especially in the same role. Reggie is a better one on one defender and that could be the answer right there.

But a solid move for the 76'ers. Not breathtaking, but it is good to have shooters and free up playing time for more productive, younger players in the process.

[Thunder Dan]

this will be the move that puts the 76ers over the top

[iggypop123]

jordan is building a good team

[ploto]

Sorry timvp. Your most hated GM traded for a player you have wanted on the Spurs.

[monosylab1k]

Kapono only shoots around 3 three pointers a game? All he can do is shoot threes and he's damn good at it, you'd think he would be jacking them up like Antoine Walker.

[resistanze]

Kapono only shoots around 3 three pointers a game? All he can do is shoot threes and he's damn good at it, you'd think he would be jacking them up like Antoine Walker.

Yeah, but he relies on being freed up by screens. Thing is, he's too slow to get open most of the time and he's not good at creating his own shot.

[sribb43]

Looks like they finally found their Kyle Korver replacement

[Indazone]

Yeah, but he relies on being freed up by screens. Thing is, he's too slow to get open most of the time and he's not good at creating his own shot.

Sounds like Novak to me. All these three point shooters are slow as all get out. Now Reggie Miller had the speed and skills to get his three off and the skills to dribble the ball into traffic.

[ambchang]

Kapono's struggle highlights Bosh's inability to draw defenders into the middle and free up shooters for wide open 3 pt shots like Shaq (even during the Miami days) could.

Kapono is performing up to normal people's expectations, just not to his contract.

[Bob Lanier]

Kapono is significantly less athletic than Korver. And he has an annoying tendency to fake threes and take pull-up twos, like Derek Fisher.

[tomtom]

A wash I'd say

[sonic21]

Makes sense for both sides. Philly need 3-point shooters desperately and Kapono is one of the best in that area. Meanwhile, Toronto gets a solid hustle guy that will add toughness down low and also save them $$$.

[Kobayagi]

I didn't know the teams can do trades already. When did the trade season start?

[benefactor]

Nut Grabber FTW!

[benefactor]

lxEgKsyFCIw

[DPG21920]

I do not think it was a good trade for Raps. It was not a major screw up or anything. They had a younger, more athletic and cheaper version of Reggie in Pops. Now, although they saved 1.6M, they have to replace Kapono for the same amount they got Pops for in order for it to make sense.

I think it will be harder to replace Kapono than it was to essentially replace Reggie with Pops.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

lxEgKsyFCIw


lol that was when he clipped Chris Kaman's Nuggets

[EricB]

Good trade by the Sixers.

[ploto]

I didn't know the teams can do trades already. When did the trade season start?

Once you are out of the play-offs, you can make trades. BC likes to make trades in early June.

[dave]

Kapono is significantly less athletic than Korver. And he has an annoying tendency to fake threes and take pull-up twos, like Derek Fisher.

and travel in the process
he also feels the need to slash even though he has no dribbling skills whatsoever