Spencer Hawes: to re-sign or not to re-sign
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Spencer Hawes: to re-sign or not to re-sign
Again, we're just trying to tackle some smaller issues in the weeks leading up to the workouts for the NBA Draft. If you want to read the update on forward Craig Brackins, you can find that here: Brackins. The 76ers trio of president Rod Thorn, general manager Ed Stefanski, and coach Doug Collins will be in Chicago later this week for the draft combine and player interviews. The Sixers hold the No. 16 pick in the draft, which will be held June 23. I know we're repeating a lot of these details with each post, but just want to be sure everyone knows the timeline with which we're working. The draft combine is May 18-22, after which the Sixers will start inviting draft prospects to PCOM for workouts, which will lead into the draft on June 23.
There are unknowns we're approaching in the next few months: what position the Sixers will target in the draft (we'll get a better idea of this in the next two weeks), how they will use their first-and-second round picks on June 23 (we'll be analyzing this in the next few weeks), and how they'll play the trade market to fill gaps in the roster (adding a scorer and a big man, depending on what route they take in the draft).
Today, per a few emails received, let's talk about center Spencer Hawes. Will the Sixers re-up his contract? Do they see him as next year's possible starting center? Does the franchise value Hawes?
So no one has to go elsewhere to look up Hawes' numbers, we'll lay them out right here. Hawes was acquired via last summer's trade with the Sacramento Kings. The Sixers shipped center Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento in exchange for Hawes and forward Andres Nocioni. Hawes just turned 23 years old. He's a 7-1 center, 245 pounds. He played three seasons for the Kings before being traded, so he just completed his first season with the Sixers and fourth overall in the NBA. He has career averages of 8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game. During the 2010-11 season, Hawes started 81 of the 81 games in which he played, finishing the season with averages of 7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in 21.2 minutes a game. In the playoffs, Hawes averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, with his minutes dropping to 19.6 a game.
If you're thinking to yourself: wow, those look like the numbers of a very competent backup center. It's probably because Hawes would be a very competent backup center. During the playoff series against the Miami Heat, especially in the Game 5 loss in Miami, Hawes made some amazing hi-low bounce passes and backdoor bounce passes for easy scores. He does some very nice things with his passing, but for what the Sixers need, that's like having a cleanup hitter who can really lay down a nice bunt. It's a helpful attribute, but if that cleanup hitter doesn't also hit home runs and accumulate RBIs -- in the basketball world, we'll say we mean block shots, grab rebounds, and provide an intense interior presence -- then it's really just an extraneous skill. But as a backup? Hawes' game is looking a lot nicer, almost ideal for what the Sixers would need in that spot.
Hawes' rookie contract "ended" after the 2010-11 season, with the Sixers paying him approximately $3.0 million for last year's services. The team can make him a qualifying offer of about $4.0 million to retain him for the 2011-12 season. And I'd be genuinely surprised if that doesn't happen.
Let's be clear: it's my understanding that the Sixers recognize that Hawes isn't the answer as the starting center alongside Elton Brand. But, having the luxury of a backup center at Hawes' size and ability is a darn nice thing. And for the price of $4.0 million, not ridiculous at all. In addition, after having watched Hawes around this team all season, he enjoys playing for Doug Collins and enjoys playing for the Sixers, and buys into what's happening here.
Seems we're back to exactly where we started with last week's posts about potential big men: Hawes isn't the answer to that question because the team needs someone who can bang, rebound, and block shots. The Sixers need someone who can complement Brand at power forward and who can do some of the work Brand was forced to do for much of last season. Hawes is a solid piece to an eight-man rotation, and for that reason he'll likely return to the Sixers, but they'll still be mining the draft and testing the trade waters for the answer at starting center.
If you want to follow on Twitter for the quick-hit news (and the breaking news, because that's where it goes first), you can do that here: Deep Sixer. Since we're just addressing some of the smaller issues surrounding the Sixers this week, and as the draft coverage amps up, feel free to email me any question you might want answered. You can do that here: kfagan@phillynews.com
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
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Stefanski will be forced to drag around the stone of shame.
chuckw, The good news is 85% of the teams will be in the same boat. The owners are hoping the reduced cap will lower the price for free agents. For example wordsword asked about Oden at $10M, in years past a legit 7 footer would get that easily but in a world where teams will be over the lowered cap a player like Oden might have to settle for less especially since he's coming off of injuries. The only free agent centers that will get a lot more $$ are Gasol & possibly Nene— mtairy1- I just want to say it good to talk basketball without all the "I didn't know Philly had a basketball team" or the "zzzzz". This team isn't that far off. We should be a top four team next season. New york doesn't scare me. Boston is getting old. This is a critical season coming up. All jokes aside Thorn needs to earns his money. Nocioni, I like you but you have to go. Iguodala, nothing personal but trading you will help us strengthen the bench. There isn't going to be a true difference maker at 16. Trading down may be the move to make and acquire an additional pick.
- If Denver makes Nene a priority then maybe Birdman and or Koufos becomes expendable
Comment removed.- you are comin' from deep space on this one, brother! — wordsword
- =falls out at from deep space. i was thinking the same thing...
quix, speak that gangsta pig latin and see if it gets posted, lol. - @mtairy1: yeah, good looking G, u got my respect.
@Quixote: u need someone to talk to man? I ain't a therapist, but I'm a good listener.— BlackFeet01 - Who drafted Kwame Brown in 2001 #1 pick DC or MJ--FIRST round-first pick
by the Wizards?— HO HUM - HH that was MJ all the way.... arguably the best player of all time. Is the worst talent evaluator.... of all time.
- Ya'll are on fire tonight..CTFU@ Big vil saying go after eddy curry. We have way too many eddy's as it is and he's nowhere as good as curry. lmao@ blackfeet saying lower your expectations.
ok i maybe alittle biased but i'm not a fan of hawes. I've seen enough. for the MLE you could get a guy that actually will attempt to rebound and block.I can go out there for 10-15mins a game and shou you some fancy passes. Save that extra couple million to sign someone who is serious and takes advantage of their height.
Dalembert was never a force in the inside. i think don't be fooled said it right, dude was just good on the weakside.. Nene isn't all that great to me. Not for the price he's asking for plus he occasionally has hurt issues. It would be nice to give a young center to grow with the core like deandre jordan or roy hibbert but i can't see any team GM giving up their young big man unless eddy stef was their GM..oh wait, he's our GM..shoooooot - Hm@ BigVil..i haven't seen enough of JaVale but i think that's a good idea. he's young and can dunk and i think has something to prove.
I have a funny feeling queen jane will get in pat riley's ear and try and lure oden to miami. he'd sign for even cheaper to play for them, the same way players sold out to play for boston because they thought that was their best chance to win.
I'm going to put my stefanski cap, i mean thinking cap on for a sec. and play couch GM for a second. What about an iggy, speights & pick trade to memphis for gasol and tony allen? - Maybe two years ago Memphis would have thought about it. With the success they had I can't see them breaking up the core of that team. They are officially better than us. Conley stepped up Gasol showed he is one of the best centers. Their bench is nice. Once Gay comes back they will have their one two punch with Randolph. Three teams that worry me in the future Chicago Memphis and Dallas. If New York somehow lands Howard then you can put them on the top of that list.
- I think that Hawes is young post and could average a double double one day in the right situation. On a good team, he may not get the ball enough to put up great numbers, but why are we talking about giving up on a 23 year old when there are so few good centers in the league to begin with.— DeanoP44
- He probably could. He just needs to stay out of foul trouble. He starts out good then he gets two fouls and he's on the bench.
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
