Sources: Sixers reach deal to keep Hawes

By Bob Cooney and Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: July 06, 2012

THE 76ERS SAID after the season was over that they were looking to get bigger and more athletic in the middle, whether it be via draft, trade or free agency. They might have addressed that area a little bit when they got 6-11 Arnett Moultrie, of Mississippi State, in a draft-day trade with Miami last week, but Wednesday, they decided to go back to a comfort zone.

According to sources, the team has agreed to a 2-year contract to keep last season's starting center, Spencer Hawes. According to one of the sources, the agreement is worth slightly more than $13 million. Hawes, an unrestricted free agent, earned a little more than $4 million last season.

Although he missed 29 games because of injuries last season, Hawes averaged 9.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25 minutes per game. He also shot 48.9 percent from the floor and dealt 2.6 assists.

With the deal for Hawes, which can't be finalized until July 11, according to NBA rules, the Sixers now have three centers in their rotation, including Moultrie and second-year 7-footer Nikola Vucevic.

With the money spent on Hawes, the Sixers' other priority is to bring back leading scorer Lou Williams. The guard opted out of the final year of his contract, and sources throughout the league said he will garner a contract somewhere in the same vicinity as Hawes', perhaps a little bit more. Should the Sixers do that, their options after that would be limited, unless they decide to amnesty Elton Brand, a process by which they cut his $18.2 million from their salary cap.

Contact Bob Cooney at cooneyb@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @BobCooney76. Read his Sixers blog at www.philly.com/Sixerville.

Index by Keyword
|
Index by Date
|
About Philly.com
|
Contact Us
|
Terms of Use & Privacy Statement
|
Copyright 2013