LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers and free-agent center Spencer Hawes on Friday agreed to a four-year, $23 million deal, NBA executives confirmed.
The executives spoke to the Los Angeles Times on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Hawes, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers last season and made $6.5 million, will receive the Clippers’ full midlevel exception, which starts at $5.305 million per year.
There have been reports that Clippers Coach and President Doc Rivers had been trying to work a sign-and-trade deal with Cleveland for Hawes so he could use the midlevel exception to try to get free-agent small forward Paul Pierce.
The 7-foot-1 Hawes is the type of backup big man Rivers wants to play behind starting power forward Blake Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan.
Hawes has the ability to stretch opposing defenses with his outside shooting. He shot 41.6 percent from three-point range last season, when he averaged 13.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Hawes also has become a good free-throw shooter, making 78.3 percent and 77.7 percent the last two seasons, 70.3 percent over his seven-year career.
Like all free agents who have agreed to deals since the free-agency period opened July 1, Hawes cannot sign his contract until Thursday, when the NBA lifts its moratorium.
Yahoo Sports first reported the agreement between the Clippers and Hawes.
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