NBA Rumors: Hornets are looking to trade Spencer Hawes
By Andre Pruitt
The Hornets are looking at shopping Spencer Hawes.
The Hornets are still trying to move Spencer Hawes in order to sign another center such as Roy Hibbert or Zaza Pachulia, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Hawes followed up a very disappointing campaign in 2014-15 with the Los Angeles Clippers with another one with the Hornets last season.
Hawes put up meager averages of six points per game and nearly four rebounds. With Al Jefferson leaving to sign with the Indiana Pacers, the need for a starting center is a major priority for the Hornets.
The Hornets toyed with the idea of starting Cody Zeller at the center for a stretch last season after Al Jefferson came back from injury, though they immediately inserted Jefferson back into the starting lineup during the first round of the playoffs after getting destroyed in the paint by Hassan Whiteside.
If the Hornets were to sign Roy Hibbert, at the very least he would provide a decent defensive presence and shot blocking. At this stage of Hibbert’s career he’s more of a liability on the offensive end of the floor.
With Zaza Pachulia as their potential starting center, the Hornets will get a hard worker who may come in an average nearly a double double as he did last year with the Dallas Mavericks. Though on the flip side, he’s not much of a shot blocker just as Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller were last season.
Either signee should be an upgrade over Cody Zeller, who started 60 games for the Hornets last season even though he’s a natural power forward.
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