Valuable free agents are slowly beginning to find new homes this summer, and Spencer Hawes became one of those players after agreeing to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports detailed Hawes’ decision to join a contender while perhaps taking less money to do so:
Free-agent 7-footer Spencer Hawes has reached agreement on a four-year, $23 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Hawes was determined to sign with a contender and his commitment to the Clippers on Friday becomes a tremendous coup for president and coach Doc Rivers.
[…]
“Even taking a little less money, this opportunity was too exciting to pass up,” Hawes told Yahoo Sports on Friday night. “I’ve had a taste of the playoffs before, but being a part of this team will be just incredible. You get to a point where you really realize what’s important, and I was thinking: ‘What would my 12-year-old self have done? What would he prioritize?’ It was this opportunity and what they’re building with the Clippers.”
Hawes is a very unique center in that he has the ability to shoot a high percentage from the 3-point line. He can also play closer to the basket and is an underrated passer. He will now look to fill the role as a versatile backup to DeAndre Jordan that Byron Mullens failed to be last season. Here is what the newest Clipper had to say after the big news:
Happy Independence Day everyone. PS Go Clippers! #redwhiteandblue
— Spencer Hawes (@spencerhawes00) July 5, 2014
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James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. Find him on twitter @SheridanBlog.