Why I Like the Spencer Hawes Deal (And You Should Too)

Yesterday, the Sixers re-signed starting center Spencer Hawes to a two-year, $13 million contract. Sixers fans may interpret this move as the front office settling for the status quo while other teams such as the Nets (Joe Johnson), Lakers (Steve Nash), and Suns (Eric Gordon), make big moves to upgrade their roster. Having seen the Sixers dish out regretful contracts to centers in the past (not pictured: Steven Hunter), I choose to take solace in the fact that this may actually be one of the least objectionable free agent moves they've made since the pre-Billy King era. Here's why.

1. It’s short

Fast-forward two years from now to the 2014 off-season, when Hawes’ contract will come off the books. At this point, the team will know what they have in young bigs Nik Vucevic, Arnett Moultrie, and Lavoy Allen, who each will have had a few years to grow and develop with Hawes manning the middle. It also coincides with the expiration of Andre Iguodala’s mega-deal, setting up for a possible big-ticket free agent acquisition.

Even if they decide to move in a different direction before then, Spencer is very tradable because the contract doesn’t require a receiving team to make a long-term commitment. Consider the fact that only a year from now we will be talking about this as an “expiring contract.”

2. It’s relatively cheap

Looking at the landscape of NBA free agency, this deal is also somewhat of a bargain. Hawes will make $13 million dollars over the two years of his contract. Compare this deal with that of another free agent 7-footer, Omer Asik, who recently signed a 3-year, $25 million dollar free agent contract with Houston. Under this contract, Asik stands to make over a million dollars more annually than Hawes despite being a career backup and an utter liability at the offensive end. Last year, restricted free agent center DeAndre Jordan, a super athlete but mostly worthless basketball player, re-upped with the Clippers for $43 million. In my opinion, Hawes compares favorably to both of these players, which brings me to my final point.

3. He’s not bad

Granted that Spencer Hawes is slow, clumsy, and unspectacular, he’s still a solid center. He’s a 24 year-old 7-footer who can shoot, rebound, and facilitate the offense from the high post. I think Doug Collins put it best when he said, “When Spencer plays in a rhythm…he’s damn good.” He doesn’t give the Sixers the paint presence they need to be a contender, but as a short-term, rotation big, I’d rather have Spencer Hawes than not. 

Allen Cashes In

After a disappointing senior year at Temple, there was a question of whether or not Lavoy Allen would be able to crack an NBA roster, let alone earn significant playing time at the next level. Thanks to a stellar playoff performance, Allen's NBA future is no longer in doubt as the Sixers have rewarded the 23 year-old power forward with a 2-year contract worth $6.2 million dollars.

Lavoy had a pleasantly surprising rookie season, earning occasional rotation minutes for his toughness and physicality. In the playoffs, where toughness and physicality is the name of the game, the Sixers needed Allen to play an increased role and he was game for the challenge. Though his playoff numbers were modest (6.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Lavoy's impact extended beyond the stat sheet. He did a great job of crashing the offensive glass, knocking out the mid-range jumper, and banging down low against opposing big men. The highlight of Lavoy's postseason was his matchup against future hall-of-famer Kevin Garnett. Allen garnered national attention for his ability to move KG off the block and take him out of his comfort zone, often forcing him into contested jump shots. Perhaps even more impressive was that the rookie seemed completely unfazed by Garnett's shit-talking, elbow-throwing antics, never allowing the veteran to take him out of his game.

The immediacy of this move after the opening of free agency demonstrates the importance of Allen in the eyes of the Sixers' front office. Depending on what happens with Spencer Hawes, an unrestricted free agent, and Elton Brand, a candidate to be released under the amnesty clause, Allen should see an expanded role with the team next season, possibly as a starter.