76’ers Acquire Kapono

 ESPN.com reports that the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers have completed the first trade of what is widely predicted to be an active month of NBA transactions by swapping shooting guard Jason Kapono for forward Reggie Evans.

Evans gives Toronto a physical rebounding presence, and the trade also frees up extra salary-cap space for a critical 2010 summer in which Chris Bosh becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Toronto expects to clear nearly $9 million in cap space when the league sets the cap figure for next season in July, and that number could reach $10 million if the Raptors don't retain free agents Quincy Douby and Patrick O'Bryant

Bosh told ESPN.com in April and reiterated last week that he will decline Toronto's offer of a contract extension this summer in anticipation of the 2010 free-agent frenzy. But the Raptors still face a decision on unrestricted free agent Shawn Marion this summer after acquiring the forward in February for Jermaine O'Neal. Toronto is trying to rebound from a 33-49 season that has raised doubts about their ability to retain Bosh.

Evans has ranked in the top 10 in rebounds per 48 minutes in each of the past six seasons, finishing seventh in the NBA in that category last year (15.3 rebounds per 48 minutes) and leading the league in 2006-07 at 19.7.

Kapono won the NBA's 3-point shooting contest in 2007 and 2008 and is tied with Steve Kerr for the highest career 3-point shooting percentage in league history (.454 %). Kapono's deal is $2.8 million richer than Evans' deal over the next two years.

A number of GMs are prediciting a busy off-season with the approach of the June 25^th draft,  with several teams shopping draft picks and long-term contracts to reduce payroll.

Rubio Sues Spanish Squad

Ricky Rubio, a projected Top 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, must now deal with the Spanish government if he wants to play in the NBA, ESPN.com reports.

The guard has been trying to get out of his contract with Spanish league team DKV Joventut, suing the team Tuesday after learning that  his buyout rights were transferred to Hacienda, the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service. The rights were sold to settle a debt Joventut owed Hacienda.

Leopoldo Hinjos, Rubio's lawyer, says that the team did not inform his client that his rights were about to be transferred to a third party. The team says that representatives of Hacienda went to Joventut's offices and demanded a guarantee to cover the outstanding debt.

Rubio has challenged the 4.75 million Euro (approximately $6.6 million U.S.) buyout, that rises to 5.75 million Euros after June 30. Rubio made 70,000 Euros last season (about $97,000) and is slated to earn 125,000 Euros next season (about $175,000). Rubio's father told ESPN's Chad Nielsen that the buyout is disproportionate to his salary.

Rubio has been projected to go as high as No. 2 in the draft to the Memphis Grizzlies.