(AP)

The 76ers have traded center Spencer Hawes to Cleveland, according to multiple reports.

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report the trade Thursday morning, the day of the NBA trade deadline. Wojnarowski reported that the Sixers will receive two 2014 second-round picks, forward Earl Clark and center Henry Sims from the Cavaliers in return for Hawes.

Clark has a $4.25 million team option for next season, and Sims has nothing beyond this season, so the Sixers could financially cut ties with both at the end of this season.

Later in the day, the Sixers got two second-round picks (for an undisclosed draft year) and guard Eric Maynor from Washington in a three-team deal, that also included Denver, in which the Sixers gave up nothing significant. (It'll probably amount to cash.) Maynor has a $2.1 million player option for next season.

Hawes, traded to the Sixers from Sacramento in June 2010, spent nearly four seasons with the team. His two-year deal was set to expire at the end of the season.

The Sixers' initial interest in moving Hawes was to attain a first-round pick in return. As the trade deadline neared, it can only be assumed that Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie lowered his asking price to help facilitate a move.

More on this to come...

(Associated Press)

The 76ers have waived center Daniel Orton.

Orton, who signed with the team in preseason as a free agent, averaged 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 11.4 minutes over 22 appearances.

The Sixers made the move in advance of Friday’s deadline, by which all NBA players with partially guaranteed contracts are made guaranteed for the remainder of the season. Though Orton’s salary is a nominal $884,000, and waiving the 23-year-old does not save the Sixers much, it was clear that they had seen all that they needed to out of the 6-10, 280-pound pivot.

Waiving Orton brings the Sixers’ roster to 11 available players, with three others out on the injured/inactive list.

One of those three is second-year forward Arnett Moultrie, who said following Monday’s home loss to Minnesota that he expects to dress for a game by next week. Moultrie, who has been out since undergoing ankle surgery in October, practiced for the first time Dec. 31, and continues to progress.

The Sixers (12-22) are in Cleveland Tuesday to play the Cavaliers.

(AP)

In case you missed it – Andrew Bynum was back in town Friday night.

He played at Wells Fargo Center and, while he said he enjoyed it thoroughly, his old team got the last laugh. The 76ers bowled over Bynum and the Cleveland Cavaliers, 94-79.

Bynum was largely ineffective, despite playing a season-high 18 minutes. The 7-footer, who missed all of last season with the Sixers, was 2-for-3 from the floor with 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist and 1 steal.

As for the reception he received, which included boos and chants, Bynum said he didn’t mind.

“I thought it was a little weak, honestly. I thought it was going to be a lot worse,” Bynum said of his Philly homecoming. “Just, it was funny. I was smiling every time they showed me (on the big board). It was just funny. What more can I say about it? No, it didn’t bother me. It was kind of funny.”

For more on Bynum, check out the game story at delcotimes.com and the video below:

(AP)

76ers coach Brett Brown said second-year forward Hollis Thompson could “be a keeper,” despite being the last man to make his team’s roster.

Thompson, 22, has been getting increasing opportunities to play, including 17 minutes Monday against Golden State and five minutes in the first half Wednesday against Washington. The 6-8, 206-pounder figures to be one of the first guys off the bench for however long center Daniel Orton is sidelined with right knee soreness.

“I think he has a real chance to be a keeper,” Brown said of Thompson. “His process is going to be slower. The time’s he’s come into the games, I think he’s been OK. His opportunity is in a comfortable place. … I think he’s an NBA player for a while. His worth ethic is high. I like him.”

Thompson, the last player to survive preseason cuts late last month, views these last few games as an opportunity to find footing with the Sixers.

“I do what the coaches tell me to do, and do it to the best of my abilities,” said Thompson, a Georgetown product. “Coach (Brown) has given me an opportunity to help the team, so when I go in, I try to rebound. …I definitely think that I have something to prove.”

The Sixers hosted Cleveland Friday in the front-end of a home-and-home series. They’ll visit the Cavaliers Saturday.

(AP)

When former players return to Wells Fargo Center, they get a video montage of their highlights. Since Andrew Bynum never played in a 76ers uniform, he’s not expecting that kind of reception.

“No reception,” the Cleveland Cavaliers center said. “Just expecting to go out and play another game.”

Bynum will face his former team Friday, his first meeting with the Sixers since missing all of last season with a litany of knee injuries precluded him from playing. Here’s what Bynum said at Temple University, following the Cavaliers’ practice:

Any fond memories from last year?

“No, just frustration.”

What was most frustrating?

“Not being able to play.”

Did you get a bum rap because of that?

“I don’t think so. If I could’ve played, I would’ve. And that’s where that’s at.”

Unfair how you’re treated by fans?

“I honestly don’t really care. I don’t know how they treat me. I don’t look … I was hurt. It is what it is. And I’m still hurt, but I’m trying.”

Were you ever worried that the injury was career-threatening?

“Yeah. It’s still career-threatening. I’m a shell of myself right now on the court. I’m just struggling mentally. I’m trying.”

Do you keep in touch with anybody from the Sixers?

“No, not really. The team’s a lot different, too.”

What percentage would you say you’re at?

“I think I’m out of the rehab phase, but I think the stat was I’ve missed 567 days or something like that. I still can’t jump or slide or anything. I’m just going out and trying to play.”

Read more »

(AP)

Cleveland’s Andrew Bynum is ready for his greeting, however boisterous it may be.

The Cavaliers center told reporters in Cleveland Wednesday he expects to play Friday night at Wells Fargo Center against the Sixers, the team for which he did not play a single game last season. He said he’s also expecting boos from the Sixers’ faithful.

“Just another game,” he said.

Bynum, who’s coming off the bench for the Cavaliers, has seen a gradual step-up in minutes as he progresses from the arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent in March.

“I think they’ll probably boo, but that’s their choice,” Bynum told Cleveland media. “It wasn’t my choice to get rid of me. I don’t feel bad at all (about last season). … If I was not hurt, I would’ve played. That’s really the end to that story.”

Bynum and the Cavaliers play in Milwaukee tonight before flying to Philly. The team is expected to practice in town Thursday.

Bynum enters tonight’s game averaging 6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 12.6 minutes per game. Recently, he said he’s experiencing “little sharp pains” in his surgically repaired knees, but that he’s going to play through it.

The 26-year-old is in the first year of a two-year, $24 million deal with the Cavaliers, though only $6 million of his salary is guaranteed. The team holds the option on Bynum for the 2014-15 season.

(AP)

More than a few times last season, Andrew Bynum uttered the words, "I'm going to be ready."

Friday, he said them again. This time, in front of a contingent of Cleveland reporters as the 7-foot center was introduced as a member of the Cavaliers.

Bynum, who made $16.8 million last season despite never playing for the 76ers, got a 2-year, $24-million contract from the Cavaliers. And after twin knee surgeries, he hopes he can finally put to rest all of the criticisms that dogged him last season --- namely, that he never wished to play through pain.

"I want to play a full season," Bynum said. "There is no doubt in my mind that I couldn't do that. Yes, I'm going to be ready. That is the plan. As long as I stick to it, I really believe that I have a great chance with this organization."

Bynum characterized comments about his work ethic as "completely" out of line.

"I worked really hard to get where I am, and I continue to work hard," Bynum said. "I've had injuries in the past, and there is a lot to be said for people who think that way. But I think if you get to know me and you look at how hard I have worked to get where I am now, that that's kind of nonsense."

A number of setbacks prevented Bynum from ever making it onto the court with the Sixers, who traded for Bynum in a four-team deal last August. January of last season, he engaged in 1-on-0 workouts. February, he practiced with his team for the first time. By March, he had given up on the season and chose to undergo surgery.

So returning to form, with Bynum averaging a double-double in the 2011-12 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, his most productive year as a pro, is next up for the big man.

"I feel like for me getting my career back on track and really playing a full year is my only goal with this season," Bynum said. "I really feel like I can accomplish it. Work ethic-wise, I come in every day and I work hard. I don't really -- I feel like it's a little bit unfair at times, but that's just something that comes with the territory. Obviously, you take that and use it as motivation to come out and prove everybody wrong."

Count Sixers fans among them.

Associated Press

The Swag has left the building.

Multiple reports Thursday confirmed that free agent guard Nick Young has agreed to a contract of unspecified length with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to his agent Mark Bartelstein.

Young, whose flashy style of play on the court and ostentatious dress code off it earned him the nickname Swaggy P, spent last season with the 76ers. Mostly coming off the bench for them, Young averaged 10.6 points per game in 59 appearances.

The shooting guard is familiar with L.A., having played his college ball at USC and having spent one season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Young was a head-scratcher of a player in his time with the Sixers. He seemed to be well-liked among those in the locker room and in the stands, but never could string together continuously solid play. He turned into a starter for Doug Collins’ team in January, after embracing defense. But he quickly fell out of favor with Collins … and fell out of the Sixers’ rotation.

Young’s best games for the Sixers came when he had the freedom to fire away. His stats defend that theory: In wins, Young averaged 9.2 points on 41 percent shooting overall and 30 percent from 3-point range. In losses, he tallied 11.6 points on 41 percent shooting overall and 39 percent from long range. On five occasions last season, Young scored 21 or more points. The Sixers lost four of them.

In other Sixers-related news Thursday…

****While the deal (technically) is unofficial – at least until Jrue Holiday returns from his honeymoon and signs paperwork to legitimize the trade – Nerlens Noel is a member of the 76ers … and he’s decided on a jersey number.

According to an ESPN report, it’ll be No. 5 – as in the number of teams that passed on him in last month’s NBA Draft. One problem with that is Arnett Moultrie already wears No. 5, but that’s not an issue a gifted Rolex can’t fix.

Click here for the rest of the story.

****And finally, the Cleveland Cavaliers (a day after signing Andrew Bynum) appear to already be taking issue with the big man’s always-hurting knees. An unnamed Cleveland official, according to a report by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal:

“When asked Wednesday which knee was worse, a Cavaliers executive said, “They’re both not good.”

Click here for the rest of the story.

(Associated Press)

Andrew Bynum's unceremonious tenure in Philadelphia could be coming to a close soon.

The free agent center received a $24 million, two-year contract offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday, according to Yahoo! Sports. Bynum, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is meeting with the Atlanta Hawks today, to see if he can get a deal from them, as well. Yahoo! is reporting that the deal from the Cavaliers has the second year of the deal as a team option (to protect against a suddenly healed Bynum walking at free agency a year from now) as well as incentives like minutes played, games played and training-camp participation.

Bynum, acquired by the Sixers in a four-team megadeal last summer, never played a game in Philadelphia. He entered training camp with chronically injured knees and underwent season-ending surgery on both joints in March, after several bids to return to the court.

When healthy, Bynum is one of few bigs who can play at his level. The 7-foot, 285-pounder had his best season as a pro in 2011-12 with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

Bynum's agent, David Lee, said recently that his client would not work out for teams looking to give Bynum a contract.

The Sixers have shown little to no interest in re-signing Bynum in free agency, despite new general manager Sam Hinkie's somewhat openness to doing so. At least that's how Hinkie made it sound in May, when he was introduced as the team's GM and president of basketball operations, though it wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement.

“I think of Andrew like the thousands of other young men walking around the world that are unrestricted free agents that have potential to play NBA basketball,” Hinkie said at the time. “He is one of those. I'm duty bound to consider them and look at them. All of them.”

Nearly 11 months ago to the day, Aug. 14, 2012, the Sixers introduced Bynum to fans in an open-to-the-public press conference at the National Constitution Center. There were high hopes that the Sixers, a team that fell one win shy of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals, would get over the hump behind Bynum. But the center never played, citing a host of knee injuries along the way.

In September, Bynum flew to Germany for a non-invasive, plasma-enriching procedure called Orthokine. In October, he had injections of a joint lubrication called Synvisc-One. In November, while rehabbing his right knee, he admitted he injured his left knee while bowling. In December, Bynum was told to ramp up his rehab. In January, he engaged in a workout in front of reporters. In February, in addition to his primary physician, he visited an orthopaedic surgeon in New York. In March, he underwent two knee surgeries.

That's an abbreviated timeline of Bynum's one-year, $16.8 million tenure with the Sixers. For the more-complete look, take a walk down memory lane on the blog.