The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to make moves in an attempt to make the playoffs this season. A report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, indicates that the team has acquired centre/power forward Spencer Hawes from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a pair of second-round draft picks, and Earl Clark. Due to the league’s salary matching rules it is expected that the deal will include at least one other player, but the identity of that player is not yet known.
Hawes has been the starting centre for 76ers in all 53 of his games this season. He is averaging 13 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game this season for Philadelphia. He is shooting 45.1 percent from the field and is the rare big man with long-range shooting ability as he is hitting 39.9 percent from three-point range. His 81 three pointers this season are more than double his previous career high.
The 25-year-old Hawes is scheduled to become an unrestricted free-agent this summer. The Cavs will have to work to convince him to stay in Cleveland, something that they are also trying to do with Luol Deng. However reports are that negotiations with Deng are not going well.
Cleveland is on a six-game winning streak that sees them just three games back of the Charlotte Bobcats for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. It is hoped that the addition of another big man in Hawes can help open up Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters even more on the perimeter.
The 26-year-old Clark is a backup big men who has averaged 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game for the Cavaliers this season. His contracted is not guaranteed next year.
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