Sixers Acquire Kapono

In a move that the majority of Sixers fans will view as positive, the team traded Reggie Evans to pick up Jason Kapono. This move addresses the Sixers' 3-point shooting woes in a big way. To start, Kapono is tied with Steve Kerr for the highest all-time 3-pt FG%. He has won 2 All-Star 3-point Shootouts and also been part of the Heat's championship team. I was one to criticize the contract he received from Toronto as a free agent but seeing how the money lined up with both him and Evans put me at ease a bit. They both have 2 years left on their contracts and Kapono makes only about $1.5 million more per year. Seeing as how the Sixers have finished dead last in the league two consecutive years in 3-point shooting, this is a glaring weakness that needed to be addressed. You cannot run an effective offense without the spacing that outside shooting (or at least the threat of it) creates. This is even more of a pressing need if Eddie Jordan is going to instill a new Princeton offense that relies on spacing. It's likely, but not certain, that this precipitates the exit of Donyell Marshall and/or Kareem Rush. Yes, both are shooters but hardly got playing time. It will be better determined after the draft. I think the Sixers will look to keep Royal Ivey, who provided wonderful role-defense and some shooting.

Let not the contributions of Reggie Evans go unnoticed. He was always a hustle guy for us, a "glue" guy who wreaked havoc on the defensive end of the court. He was everywhere at once and that included under the skin of the opponent. He'd take a charge, run out to help double, and pull down rebounds at a rate he was famous for. He was also the guy who had the last word to say to each of the starters before every single game right before they each took the court. He was the first to meet his teammates as they came off the court for a timeout or quarter end. But in the end, he provided absolutely nothing on the offensive end and was part of a glut of PF's on this team. With the return of Elton Brand and Jason Smith, as well as the quick growth and versatility of Young and Speights, Evans was expendable. This really is an upgrade for the Sixers. It is tough to lose another fan favorite the way we lost Korver but at least with this one, there is clear upside to the trade.