Bucks trading Miles Plumlee to Hornets for Roy Hibbert, Spencer Hawes

The Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets are swapping big men as NBA trade season gets underway.

The Milwaukee Bucks are sending forward Miles Plumlee to the Charlotte Hornets for centers Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst.

After signing a four-year, $50 million deal last summer, Plumlee hasn’t added much production to the young Bucks rotation this season. In 32 games, he is averaging 2.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game with 12 starts for the season.

Plumlee has seen his minutes go to Greg Monroe and John Henson. With rookie Thon Maker’s minutes increasing, 24 in the loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, the need for Plumlee on the roster is very thin.

On the other side, the Hornets are trying to find the momentum they had to begin the season. With Cody Zeller still sidelined with a quadriceps contusion, coach Steve Clifford is looking for a valuable starting center to replace Zeller in the meantime.

Hibbert signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Hornets last year. Injuries have played a big part in his fall out of the rotation averaging a career-low 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 42 games this season.

The Bucks may not use Hibbert in the rotation, Hawes can bring some scoring and veteran presence off the bench. He is averaging 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game despite struggling from behind the arc averaging 29 percent from three-point range, his lowest in seven seasons.

With this trade, the Bucks release Plumlee cap space while picking up two players with expiring contracts, Hawes has a player option for next season.

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Sources also told ESPN the Bucks could also waive forward Steve Novak to make room on the roster for Hibbert and Hawes. Both sides could complete the deal on Thursday.

The Hornets (23-27) are currently in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference with the Bucks (21-27) two spots behind in the playoff race.