The Nuggets traded forward Reggie Evans and the draft rights of forward Ricky Sanchez to Philadelphia for center Steven Hunter and forward Bobby Jones on Monday.
Evans, who led the NBA in rebounds per 48 minutes last season (19.7) was scheduled to make over $18 million over the next four seasons. He appeared in 92 games in Denver, averaging 5.0 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Hunter, a shot-blocker, will make just over $10 million in the remaining three years of his contract. Sanchez never played a minute for the Nuggets, who acquired his rights from Portland on draft night in 2005, but played well for the Idaho Stampeders in the D-League last season.
Philadelphia’s Bobby Jones averaged 2.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.6 minutes per game last season as a rookie. He was drafted by Minnesota in the second round and traded to the Sixers.
“Steven is an athletic, 7-foot big man … that can block shots,” said Mark Warkentien, Denver’s vice president of basketball operations. “We think his presence will provide us with a more balanced roster.”
The trade is the second between Denver and Philadelphia since December, when the Nuggets acquired Allen Iverson in a blockbuster deal.
