More in a minute but a trade is done

Just a quick heads-up while I write the quick story but the Raptors have made a trade, league sources tell me.

Jason Kapono's gone to the Philaelphia 76ers for Reggie Evans.

Now, off to figure the financial repercussions; will be back with a story in a little bit.

Links:

Evans' stats and bio

Kapono's stats and bio

Comments

[liam c]

Hey Doug.

Is it a coincidence that you wrote in today's earlier post that "Kapono was a mistake."?

I can't remember you ever being so blunt about Kapono's failure to make an impact as a Raptor.

Did you know something was up or do you and Bryan Colangelo run on the same brain cycles?

[Mark L]

Doug, I thought the primary need for the Raptors was to find a wing? they have enough bigs already.

Blogger's note: In the draft it was. And is.

[Tim]

Hey Doug,

An interesting piece of trivia for you. Reggie Evans is Tyreke Evans older brother. The Raptors are said to be extremely interested in Tyreke and word is that if he is there at 9, they will pick him. How cool would it be if two brothers played on the same team?

[kazbid]

wouldn't it make more sense to target Gordon or a SG now? who do we have at that position?
Parker should be back..but who else

[Vincent]

I'm a little surprised by all the enthusiastic responses to this trade. We didn't benefit a whole lot from this trade financially (same number of years for roughly the same money) and we didn't get a whole lot better talent-wise. Is Reggie Evans really that big of an upgrade over Kris Humphries? Anyways, I hope this move was made to free up enough space to sign or trade for someone that's really going to be a difference maker.

[Dave]

To FG: In the front-court rotation we have (probably) Bargnani, Bosh, Rasho and whoever is playing/matches up better of MJ... i mean Hump, and Evans. That's two starters, first big off the bench (Rasho) and then the next guy if they need him.

Evans erases the need for The Legend (an energy guy who has no offensive skill), PoB can save us some cash and Jawai IS a 12th man. I don't mind that lineup, I wouldn't say "most are just 10-12 man".

Doug, I was thinking is that the timing of the trade is very strange. Why now? Why not wait until close to draft night to see if there's anything else on the table (for either team). For the Raps were the financials just too good to pass up? For Philly, did they need a shooter that badly? Even if the answers are yes, this really seems like there's something else going on, though for this one I'm sure we WILL need to wait til draft night. What do you think?

[jim]

Hey Doug,
Does this just reinforce how much you hate readers asking about various trades and signings? I assume you are about as connected as anyone that is outside the organization and you have been saying the last couple days that they are full in the frontcourt and not looking. Not trying to make this sound like a jab becasue it's not your fault but why do we constantly ask you what is going to happen when it's clear you don't know?

[N]

Good trade for both teams. Philly really missed Kyle Korver and the Raps needed toughness. A win-win for both teams, but Philly's weakness being addressed makes them a more deadly team now.

[Markham Raps fan]

fg,

Rasho = No Deal
Delfino = Deal
Pops = Deal (but not sure now because of Evans).

I was hoping that Kapono fetched more on the market too, but Reggie is not bad considering BC also saved a few $.

Also, don't think that 76's are automatically better, remember they had Kyle Korver with the similar core and they only got better after they traded him to Utah.

[peter]

I like Kapono - he has one of the best/smoothest strokes I've seen in the past 10-15 years... but the fact is he's a sh*t defender and a poor dribbler. All the guy should do is CATCH and SHOOT the ball, nothing else. Unfortunately, he was in the wrong system here in T.O. He needs to play with a big guy who commands a double-team down low on the block (and when that double-team comes, he throws it out to JK), not 15+ feet out from the basket like Bosh. He is going to do great in Philly, I am sure of it.

Doug, agree or disagree with the above?

Blogger's note: Who are they double-teaming in Philly? Brand? Maybe five years ago, not now.

[Dan w]

I liked Kapano. He was a smart basket player and a funny guy. Other than his playoff run last year he never really got it going on a consistant basis. Evans will solve some toughness and rebound on the bench. Plus he won't try to do to much on the offensive end. Which is the main thing that holds Humprhies back. Hopefully they are still looking into getting some perimeter help.

[Adam]

Hey Doug,

How many mins/game assuming he meshes well with the system should Reggie get?

Blogger's note: Not even a remote guess

[Mark L]

How does JK fit with the sixers? the next Kyle Korver?

[Shawn]

I don't know where Chris got his information, but Reggie Evans is not Tyreke Evans' older brother....he does have a brother named Reggie, but he's 35...

[Justin]

Tim, Tyreke's brother is "James 'Reggie' Evans", a different reggie from our nut-luvin rebounder. So your fantasy will not come true

[jc]

doug, who do you think benefited from this trade?

Blogger's note: Both got backups; both seem to fit where they're going. Probably a tie

[Tim W.]

Am I the only one that noticed that Philly traded Kyle Korver away to save money, only to regret trading their only outside shooter. They then trade for a less effective, more expensive version of Kyle Korver.

Still, I think it works well for both sides. Philly was so loaded at PF that they didn't need Evans, and desperately needed Kapono's outside shooting, especially if they are going to try and work Brand's low post scoring into the offense. The Raptors need toughness and rebounding more than anything, which is what Evans brings. Plus, he saves them money.

This is one of those rare `helps both teams' trades. That said, I don't think it's going t help either team all that much. I mean, we're talking about guys who shouldn't play anymore than 10-15 minutes per game.

[Jojo]

There was an article the other day that said Philly was looking for a shooter (which was obvious a long time ago), but I couldn't see anyone taking Kapono's contract unless BC got hosed in return. Not a blockbuster but as others have pointed out, we addressed a need (toughness, rebounding) and saved money. Good move, especially since Kapono was a blatant mistake to begin with and it's easier on our collective psyche not to see him out there. Good guy, bad fit and bad contract. Doug, I hope Evans is good for a good quote or two. I'm sure you'll miss JK more than most of us.

[Paul M.]

Doug, perhaps a mailbag question, but one only half touched on by other comments: who cares about the frontcourt...what does this trade mean for the 2/3? With Kapono traded and Graham, Parker and Marion free agents, the Raptors don't have a single player on the roster who started a game at the 2/3 position (unless Douby did at the end of the year; but is he still under contract?). Obviously the draft CAN bring in one 2/3. But one rookie 2/3 isn't enough. Where do they fill in the other space? Delfino you've suggested is a possibility. But what, if anything, does the trade mean for the Parker/Marion/Graham? Is it space that Colangelo may use to offer Marion a moderate short term contract? Or is the 1.6 million in cap space more money to toss at a free agent this summer (not sure who) or next?

[DirtNasty]

I think it's a great move but I can't believe there's all this chatter about a guy who plays 14 minutes a game!! More evidence Toronto fans are crazy. Go leafs!

[Johnny Bravo]

Chill out everyone. This was a good first move by BC. They needed to bring someone in to rebound and do the dirty work. Nuts aside Evans is great fit. I'm sure we won't miss the 2 out of 10 good games that JK brought to the table. Now they need to address the SF/SG positions with the #9 pick and free agency...Marion? Sign-and-trade? I'm guessing this spells the end of Pops though which kinda disappoints me...loved his energy.

[Paul]

People,
Evans played 14 mpg and recorded 4.6 rpg last year, on a team not much better than the Raps... this is a nothing trade!

[ade]

great move BC

[Tim W.]

I'm also guessing this makes Parker much more likely to return. Without Kapono, the Raptors will need his outside shooting back.

[Kevin]

I'm pretty sure he IS Tyreke's older brother:

"My family's biggest concern is that Tyreke gets drafted by a good organization and be able to play for that team," said Reggie Evans, Tyreke's older brother and forward for the Philadelphia 76ers. "The bottom line is that he's happy."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/may/31/tyreke-evans-nba-draft/