National Basketball Association

Where Does Spencer Hawes Fit With the Charlotte Hornets?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Where does Spencer Hawes fit with the Charlotte Hornets this season after the team added depth to their front court this summer?

The Charlotte Hornets may have lost some of their big men from last year but they were still able to add front court depth. With the new additions, Spencer Hawes’ role with the team will likely be diminished this season. Where does he fit in with this roster?

Hawes played the back-up center role for most of last year when Al Jefferson was out injured. He also received ample playing time early in the season when then rookie, Frank Kaminsky, was adjusting to the play of the NBA. Those were the only instances where Spencer got regular minutes in Steve Clifford’s rotation.

Minutes might be hard to come by for the 7’1 center this year. He will likely be the emergency big man who only gets the call late in blowout games or when someone goes down with an injury. Even then, Christian Wood may get the minutes of Hawes as he is a younger candidate who has more potential.

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Even with the departures of Big Al and Tyler Hansbrough, Hawes’ playing time could be diminished by the additions of Christian Wood and Roy Hibbert. Plus, Frank Kaminsky will likely receive more playing now that he has more experience. With Spencer already behind starters, Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller, he may now also be behind Wood, Kaminsky, and Hibbert as well.

The 28-year old big man averaged 6.0 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game this past season. He shot a disappointing 40.5% from the field and 37.3% from the three-point line. Hawes received an average of 18.2 minutes per game in only 57 games.

His numbers weren’t great and Hawes’ play in the postseason didn’t help his cause. Spencer was able to provide shooting off of the bench last year and he proved a valuable asset when players went down with injuries. With that being said, there is a strong chance that he could be traded this season.

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Hawes is due $6.3 million this year and he has a $6 million player option for next season. He isn’t taking up a ton of cap space but the team were already looking to deal him earlier in the offseason. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to move to a team where he could receive more minutes. It would also open up playing time for Christian Wood and Frank Kaminsky. Not to mention, the Hornets could sign a new player in Spencer’s place.

Plenty of other NBA teams could utilize Hawes and his style of play. He could still be a presence on the Charlotte Hornets’ roster but it is unlikely that he will see very many minutes or playing time this year when everyone is healthy. The best case scenario for both sides is to move him to a team where he can get playing time and the Hornets free up some cap space as well as an extra roster spot.

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