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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Trade Speights, Iggy, expiring contracts, and Noc, if possible, for a high pick and draft the team's future starting center. Or else clear cap space for DWIGHT HOWARD!— Leegles- Ummm ... the kind of center that you're talking about is ... well, um ... Dalembert.
Of course if the trade could generate an Iguodala for Kamans trade, that would work.
Alas, while Speights has the skill set and body to be a decent center, the mind set doesn't appear to be there, and that seems unlikely to change.— CarpGuy 
Hawes isn't horrible. When he isn't in foul trouble he can be more aggressive. I think he can play some 4 depending on the match up. I think the bigger need is a specialized coach that can mentor the big men. I think we can all agree Moses Molone's knowledge was wasted on Dalembert. I don't the guy personally but he strikes me as a person that thinks they have it all figured out but is nowhere close. I think Hawes would be more accepting of some pointers. Having said all that we still need center. The Kaman idea is just to get rid of Iguodala's money. After his contract expires we still would need a center. Every mock draft I've seen has the Wizards drafting a center somewhere in the first round. I would be laying the ground work to acquire McGee.
@CarpGuy, it sounds ALMOST like Dalembert. He was more of a weakside shot blocker than a straight up force inside, and he certainly wasn't intense. I don't think is a current player that has the skill set, body type and demeanor that Kate is describing. Howard is talented, but his impact fades at the end of games, in part because of his free throw shooting. I don't think the Sixers can afford to pay big bucks to yet another player that can't deliver in crunch time.- We need a "Reggie Evans type" center or power forward to rotate with Brand and Hawes - that simple.
russ— russ4philly - Leegles: superstar's aren't going to come here. Let alone D12, who's said he doesn't like the cold weather. U should lower ur xpectations man.
BigVil: we better make it happen. He fits the bill, and his style of play (dunking) is classic Philly b-ball.— BlackFeet01 - how about luke jackson?— russ4philly
- and WHY do people want Dalembert back here??? He's what Keyshawn Johnson was to Tampa, what Terrell Owens was here, what Manny Ramirez was to Boston, why do you want that on a team, and he doesn't even have the starpower those fools had, smdh...— BlackFeet01
- Holiday, Meeks, AI, Brand and Hawes with Williams, Turner, Young and Mr. X sharing the load. Meeks, Brand and Williams play less of a role
as Turner and Mr. X fit into the TEAM. Right Doug?
russ
— russ4philly - Don't let Stefanski near this guy, he is dying to give him 6 years 75 million, with a no trade clause.— ericg610
- Re-sign Hawes, sign,draft or trade for a complementary big man to do the dirty work of defense and rebounding. It would be nice to find one person to do it all but good luck finding him.— Rick Wise Guy
- Resign Hawes, work with Brackins, drop some others with contract absurdities, and ...oh who knows? They don't and just what big center wants to come Philly unless they surrounding crew can be found to really play for more than a first round ouster in the PO's. And Howard is not coming to the Sixers.— Koons
- Kate, isn't NeNe possibly available this summer? I think there is a chance and he is exactly what the Sixers need right now.— MatthewFlint
- Dwight Howard would be perfect for the Sixers.— SpeedDemon828
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.
