The Denver Nuggets have traded PF Reggie Evans and the draft rights to forward Ricky Sanchez to the 76ers in return for C Steven Hunter and F Bobby Jones.  Evans was not going to be happy riding the bench for the Nuggets so that is a big reason for this trade.  Another reason was that the Nuggets wanted a legit backup center behind Marcus Camby who can be brittle at times.  Hunter is 7′0″, 240 pounds and he’s a banger who plays good defense.  Hunter played in 70 games (41 starts) last season for the 76ers and he averaged 22.9 minutes, 6.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.  He shoots most of his shots from close range which explains how he can hit 57.7% of his shots from the floor and only 49% from the free throw line last season.  Hunter has now played in 360 games (128 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.9 minutes, 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game.  He has shot 56.6% from the floor but only 48.8% from the free throw line over his career.

Bobby Jones is a 6′7″, 215 pound small forward who was a rookie last season.  He played in 44 games (5 starts) for the Sixers and he averaged 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  He shot 46.2% from the floor but only 56.1% from the free throw line.

This trade will probably help both teams but Evans was definately the best player moved in this trade.

The Nuggets have re-signed reserve point guard Anthony Carter just a day after cutting him.  Carter will back up Chucky Atkins this season for the Nuggets.