HORNETS, BUCKS SWAP BIGS HIBBERT, HAWES, PLUMLEE
The Milwaukee Bucks acquired center Roy Hibbert and power forward-center Spencer Hawes from the Charlotte Hornets for center-power forward Miles Plumlee.
What does it give the Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks feature a fairly young roster, so adding two solid veteran big men makes sense in terms of team chemistry. That said, it also further complicates an already muddled Milwaukee big-man rotation that already includes Thon Maker, Greg Monroe, and John Henson. Perhaps the Bucks believe they need to frontcourt depth to make a run at the playoffs. Whatever the case, they also give themselves improved financial flexibility (since Hibbert becomes a free agent this summer and Hawes can come off the books after next season, while Plumlee's contract has three more seasons on it after this one). Little-used shooting specialist Steve Novak was let go to make roster space.
What does it give the Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have one of the NBA's deeper young frontcourt units (including Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) so they can afford to lose Hawes and Hibbert. Plumlee is probably an upgrade in the post over the aging Hibbert, while Kaminsky already fills the role of outside-shooting big man left by Hawes. Charlotte does take on three-plus more seasons of Plumlee's contract, but he should provide his new squad with important, energetic backup minutes off the bench.
Fantasy impact
Kaminsky is probably the only player who gets a clear fantasy upgrade after this deal, and it's probably not a big one. He and Hawes took turns serving as Charlotte's floor-stretching big man off the bench, and now Kaminsky seems to have that role to himself. Hibbert has declined dramatically in recent seasons and still shouldn't be on the fantasy radar, while Hawes and Plumlee likely won't see much change in fantasy value (although Plumlee should at least see a minor uptick in minutes).
