Why Reggie Evans Is a Legit Candidate for a Team Seeking Rebounding Help

After entering the NBA in 2002 as an undrafted free agent from the University of Iowa, Reggie Evans has been able to establish a NBA career based on hustle and tenacity. Evans' game relies on his being an aggressive rebounder and a big-bodied defender, which puts him in an unusual category when it compared to the stereotypical professional basketball player. 

In his nine-year NBA career, Evans has spent time with the Seattle Sonics, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers and, most recently, with the Toronto Raptors. In three-and-a-half seasons in Seattle, Evans averaged 7.0 rebounds per game. And during the first part of the 2005-06 NBA season, he averaged a career-high 5.9 points per game.

Evans was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade also involving the Portland TrailBlazers, the Sacramento Kings and the Seattle Sonics.

Evans spent one-and-a-half seasons in Denver where he averaged 7.9 rebounds per game before the Nuggets traded him along with the draft rights to Rickey Sanchez to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Steven Hunter and Bobby Jones.

The 76ers were seeking some frontcourt rebounding help, and the Nuggets were looking to bring in a backup center (with a small contract) to play behind Marcus Camby. In December 2006, the Philadelphia 76ers traded Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets in a blockbuster trade.

In Philadelphia, Evans averaged 6.2 rebounds per game in two seasons. In 2007-08, Evans was the starting power forward for the team and appeared in 81 total games. He helped the team improve in  rebounding overall, and also became a fan favorite with his style of play. However, the team decided to trade the power forward to the Toronto Raptors at the end of the season.

Evans was traded to the Toronto Raptors on June 9, 2009, in exchange for three-point shooter Jason Kapono. During the 2009-10 NBA season, Evans was not that much of a factor due to his injury, which caused him to appear in only 28 games. During the 2010-11 NBA season, Evans appeared in only 30 games but did average a career-high 26.6 minutes per game and 11.5 rebounds per game.

Currently an unrestricted free agent, Evans may find opportunities due to the need of rebounding big men. Even though his time in Toronto was injury-marred, he should see offers come about as soon as the current lockout is lifted. He is a player that can be a valuable addition to any team seeking to add depth to their frontcourt, and seeking rebounding help.