Deep Sixer

It may not send fear throughout the Atlantic Division, but the 76ers are a better team today after acquiring Reggie Evans in the four-team trade with Denver and signing center Calvin Booth as a free agent (which will happen Tuesday).
The Sixers had to give up Steven Hunter, who might have been the power forward starter by default had he stayed and Bobby Jones, who really didn’t figure in the team's plans.
The 27-year-old Evans has never been much of a scorer, but he can rebound with the best of them. He led the NBA in rebounds per 48 minutes (19.7) last season. Evans averaged 7.0 rebounds in 17.1 minutes.
There’s a chance that he could be a 30-minute a night player, which would be something new for Evans.
During his first five seasons he never averaged as many as 24 minutes. This could make one wonder if he would wear down with an extended workload.
That shouldn’t be a problem for the 6-foot-8, 245-pound Evans.
The Sixers needed more toughness inside and he will provide that. Samuel Dalembert, despite his ability to block shots, is more of a finesse player, Evans will now ensure that the Sixers won’t be pushed around in the frontcourt.
And Evans also should relish the chance to return to the starting lineup after starting just 11 of 66 games last year for Denver..
While Sixers president and general manager Billy King said that Dalembert, point guard Andre Miller and swingman Andre Iguodala are the only ones who likely have cemented starting roles, pencil in Evans as the fourth definite starter.
And while he should be a starter, Evans may not be a finisher because he is a poor free throw shooter. Late in games, the Sixers likely won’t want to have a career 52.8 percent foul shooter in the game when the opponent is looking for somebody to send to the free throw line.
Yet that will all be sorted out.
The signing of the 6-11 Booth should also improve the Sixers. Booth has never averaged more than eight points or five rebounds in a season, but he also brings a veteran presence. And he is known as a great locker room presence, which for a young team is sorely needed.
Both Booth and Evans don’t care about statistics, only winning. They give the Sixers two veterans who set a good example, sort of like the departed Joe Smith.
The acquisitions of Evans and Booth don’t mean the Sixers will be a playoff team, but it gives them a better chance of competing for a postseason spot.
And being able to improve as a team in the second week of September is an unexpected bonus after what had been a truly quiet offseason for the Sxiers.