NBA free agent rumors: Blazers top target is Spencer Hawes

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers are said to be interested in retaining Spencer Hawes, they’re going to have their hands full as a multitude of teams have expressed interest in signing the center. One such team would be the Portland Trail Blazers, who are not only interested in the former Washington Huskies talent but have made him their top target in free agency.

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That’s the word from The Oregonian who suggests the feeling between the two parties could very well be mutual.

Hawes of course is a native of the Northwest and had expressed sentiment in playing for his hometown Seattle Supersonics, assuming the Sacramento Kings were relocated. Of course, that didn’t happen and there continues to be no basketball in Washington, which makes the Blazers the next best thing.

Of course, despite the Trail Blazers interest, they won’t be able to offer Spencer Hawes more than $5.3 million dollars annually in a four-year deal which may not be enough to woo the veteran considering he made over $6 million last season.

Still, Hawes is seemingly cut from a different cloth and may value the opportunity to play closer to home than to make more money elsewhere, which likely gives the Trail Blazers front office some hope.

On Monday, Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard reportedly suggested that the team should sign Spencer Hawes, so it appears not only does the front office have interest in the center but so do his potential new teammates.

If the Blazers are unable to snag Hawes in free agency, The Oregonian hints they could look at Boris Diaw or Josh McRoberts.