Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 12:41pm

HAWES HEADING TO CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired center Spencer Hawes from the Philadelphia 76ers for combo forward Earl Clark, center Henry Sims, and two future second-round draft picks.

What does it give the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs seem intent on making the playoffs this year, and adding Hawes is a fairly low-risk way to improve their postseason chances. His relatively affordable contract expires after this season, and he can step in and start at center right away in place of the ailing {P Anderson Varejao}. Hawes not only gives the Cavs the center depth they wanted from {P=1290 Andrew Bynum} (who was released), but Hawes helps stretch the floor with his outside shooting. Nice pickup by Cleveland.

What does it give the Philadelphia 76ers
Two second-round draft picks aren't great investments for the future but they can be re-packaged with other assets to help with Philly's ongoing rebuild. The Sixers faced the prospect of losing Hawes for nothing this off-season, so they do a solid job here of getting at least something back for him. Sims doesn't project as a very busy player for his new team, but Clark can be a rotation guy if he pans out in Philadelphia.

Fantasy impact
In the short term, the biggest winner of this deal fantasy-wise is probably {P Byron Mullens}. Following his recent trade from the Clippers, Mullens looks likely to take over for Hawes as the Sixers' starting center. Mullens can produce if given the minutes, so he immediately becomes a solid speculative add. Longer-term, this move opens up the center spot for prospect {P Nerlens Noel}, who should eventually be very good. On the Cleveland side of the transaction this probably hurts the immediate fantasy prospects of {P Anderson Varejao} (who's injured) and {P Tyler Zeller} (who's filling in at center lately).