Spencer Hawes rumors: Blazers, Clippers offered same contract
By Bryan Rose
While the Cleveland Cavaliers had hoped to retain Spencer Hawes (whom they traded for last February), they weren’t willing to pony up the cash to re-sign their center. That allowed the Washington native to explore the free agent market where he seemed to fall in love with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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Hawes has always stated a desire to return to the Northwest and has hinted on more than one occasion that he’d like to play for the Seattle Supersonics franchise, assuming they ever return. Of course, being a defunct organization at this point, Hawes doesn’t have that luxury though he could have played relatively close had he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
It seemed like a perfect match for both player and team as there was mutual interest between both parties, but shockingly Spencer Hawes spurned the Blazers after a late push from the Los Angeles Clippers. Clearly there was more money and/or years involved, right? Nope.
According to Chris Haynes, the Trail Blazers offered Spencer Hawes the same exact contract as the Los Angeles Clippers.
All Portland could offer Hawes was the midlevel exception, which is what he accepted from the Clippers,” says Haynes. “In fact, according to league sources, Portland offered Hawes the same exact contract — length and terms – that the Clippers will pay out.”
Both the Clippers and Blazers are among the best teams in the Western Conference, so shockingly either Hawes preferred the fit in Hollywood or wanted to play in the larger Southern California market.
Certainly a little odd considering how often he’s spoken about playing close to his home.