Hinkie does his best work quietly

WE DON'T HEAR much from Sam Hinkie. The Sixers general manager goes about his business working the phones, not letting a single word leak. He works very quietly and then, when we least expect it - BOOOOOOM - he drops the bomb on us.

Done it twice so far.

Can't wait for draft night 2014.

Last June, under the cover of darkness on draft night and without the hint of a rumor anywhere, Hinkie sent All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets for the sixth pick in the draft plus a first-rounder in this year's draft that could very well be another lottery pick. He then traded all over the place in the second round, netting two additional picks in this year's draft.

Yesterday, Hinkie again showed his stealthiness. Everyone was figuring he'd trade veterans Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and possibly Thaddeus Young, but to whom or for what were the big unknowns.

Hinkie dropped his first bomb, sending Hawes to Cleveland for a couple of journeyman forwards and two second-round picks. Right now, those picks are the 39th and 44th spots. In this deep draft, not a bad return for Hawes.

After a couple of minor deals brought guard Eric Maynor and center B.J. Mullens into the fold, the Quiet Man struck again. Just when it appeared that Turner might be staying with the Sixers, Hinkie surprised us at the very last minute by sending Enigmatic Evan, along with forward Lavoy Allen, to Indiana for veteran Danny Granger and his $14 million expiring contract - and a 2015 second-round draft pick.

So, for his efforts, Hinkie got rid of three contracts he wasn't going to renew and two conditional picks that will never be collected for a major expiring contract and six second-round picks.

Not a bad day.

And it probably won't be until late June before we hear from Sam again. That's fine. He can break silence with the best of them.