The Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards are reportedly discussing a trade involving forward Luol Deng. Cleveland, meanwhile, completed a trade on Thursday with the Philadelphia 76ers for center Spencer Hawes, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports.
Cleveland, reportedly concerned about Deng's impending free agency, is exploring Deng's market value ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The Cavaliers want to "test the market" to see what assets teams would be willing to give for Deng, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
One team reportedly interested in the veteran is Washington.
"Hearing: Wizards - who tried to acquire Luol Deng from Bulls at last NBA Draft - are among teams in Deadline Day talks with Cavs on Deng," ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted on Thursday.
Trevor Ariza - the Wizards' current starting small forward - becomes a free agent after the season, and if Washington fails to re-sign him, rookie No. 3 overall pick Otto Porter doesn't appear ready to take over any time soon.
Cleveland traded Andrew Bynum and two second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 7 for Deng, who's averaging 16.8 points per game this season. He becomes a free agent in July.
While discussions for Deng continue, acting Cavaliers general manager David Griffin reportedly completed a trade Thursday morning with the 76ers for Hawes.
"The Philadelphia 76ers have traded center Spencer Hawes to the Cleveland Cavaliers for two second-round draft picks, league sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote on Thursday. "... There is likely more involved in the package for Hawes, but Philadelphia will receive two 2014 second-round picks as part of the deal, a source tells Yahoo Sports."
Wojnarowski added, via Twitter: "There are expiring contracts involved in the Hawes deal, trying to lock those down now."
Spencer, who's in the final year of his contract, is averaging 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season with Philadelphia.
Teams have until 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday to complete any trades.
UPDATE (11:00 a.m. ET):
Source confirms that Earl Clark, whose contract is fully non-guaranteed next season, goes to Philly with two 2nd-round picks for Hawes.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 20, 2014
