NBA Trade Rumors: Luol Deng Out? Spencer Hawes In For Cleveland! Wizards Eye Duke Star In Trade!

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still out to make changes. They have finally acquired a center to play alongside Anderson Varejao (assuming he stays). Spencer Hawes joins the Cavs, but will another key player leave?

"The Philadelphia 76ers have traded center Spencer Hawes to the Cleveland Cavaliers for two second-round draft picks, forward Earl Clark and center Henry Sims, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Philadelphia's two picks are for the 2014 draft, a source tells Yahoo Sports.

Hawes, 25, has an expiring contract and will be a free agent this summer."

For the longest time, the Cavs have been playing Anderson Varejao as an undersized center. It would have ended when they acquired Andrew Bynum, but they have decided to give up on the unpredictable center.

Now, they have Spencer Hawes. He has averaged 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds this season, both career highs. It should be noted though, that Philadelphia is being suspected of 'showcasing' their veterans to increase their trade value.

The Cavs got him at a reasonable price. Earl Clark is another converted forward, and the Cavs have three second round picks. Trading away two of them is no big deal, even for the 2014 draft.

The Sixers wanted first round picks for their veterans Evan Turner and Hawes, they might have realized that it was virtually impossible-at least in Hawes case.

Meanwhile, another player from the Cavs is on other teams' radar. Luol Deng, whom they have just acquired earlier in the year, is now on the trading block again.

The Washington Wizards have long coveted Luol Deng, who could be a good mentor for young stars John Wall and Bradley Beal. A starting lineup which features Wall, Beal and Deng would be formidable, and the positive work ethic and discipline that Deng acquired from the Bulls and Duke in college would rub off on the talented but sometimes wayward Wizards.

As early as the 2013 draft, the Wizards have tried to take Deng from the Bulls. From ESPN: "..the Chicago Bulls, in their latest attempt to gauge the trade value of All-Star swingman Luol Deng, have had exploratory discussions with Washington about a deal that would land Deng with the Wizards and bring the No. 3 pick in Thursday's draft to the Bulls."

That draft eventually became Otto Porter who was underwhelming in his rookie season, partly due to injuries.

Tags
nba trade rumors
luol deng
Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Gallery

Real Time Analytics