THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors added some grit up front Tuesday, acquiring power forward Reggie Evans from the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade for sharp-shooter Jason Kapono.

The six-foot-eight Evans is known as a big rebounder and a physical player, adding some toughness the Raptors have sorely been lacking.

"We're changing the dynamic of our club with this move," Raptors president and GM Bryan Colangelo said Tuesday. "This obviously addresses a few areas of need."

The seven-year NBA veteran averaged 4.6 boards in 14 minutes a game with Philadelphia last season. He averaged a career-best 9.3 per game in 2004-05 with Seattle.

The Raptors signed Kapono, a two-time winner of the all-star three-point shootout, as a free agent in the 2007-08 off-season, but he never lived up to expectations in Toronto. Kapono averaged 8.2 points a night and shot 43 per cent three-point range this past season and came off the bench in all but 12 games.

"(The Sixers) probably had too many bigs and we probably had too many finesse players," Colangelo said.

The deal also gives the Raptors some financial breathing room.

Evans is owed US$4.6 million next season and $5 million in 2010-11. Kapono's deal will see him earn $6.2 million this coming season and $6.6 million the following season.

Colangelo said he's not necessarily done dealing yet.

The GM said a deal is in the works to hire former Raptors point guard Alvin Williams as a coach in a developmental role.

"The discussions are ongoing with potentially an announcement in the coming days," he said.