PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The Philadelphia 76ers took steps to improve their rebounding by acquiring Reggie Evans in a trade with Denver.
The 76ers also acquired the rights to forward Ricky Sanchez from the Nuggets for forward-center Steven Hunter and forward Bobby Jones.
The 6-foot-8 Evans led the NBA when he averaged 7.2 rebounds in just 17.1 minutes per game last season, but he didn’t play at all during Denver’s first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.
“I was just happy that there was an organization that just wanted me,” said Evans, who played his first five seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics and Nuggets.
Philadelphia finished 24th out of 30 teams in rebounding last season. In each of the last four seasons, Evans has ranked in the top 10 in rebounds per minute. Rebounding, he said, is all about attitude.
“It’s just being determined, just being willing, just being greedy,” Evans said. “That’s a phase of the game where you can be selfish.”
Evans was not selected in the 2002 NBA draft and signed with Seattle as a free agent. Entering his sixth season, he could be a starter by the time the Sixers open the season.
“This is a great opportunity,” Evans said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
The team also announced the signing of free agent center Calvin Booth. The 6-foot-11 Booth has played the last eight seasons for Washington (twice), Dallas (twice), Seattle and Milwaukee. He played the last two seasons for the Wizards.
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