According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, free agent center Spencer Hawes has signed a four-year, $23 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. According to Wojnarowski, Hawes was determined to join a contender and it likely helps that the Clippers are on the West Coast and relatively close to his hometown of Seattle.
Hawes also turned down an offer from the Portland Trail Blazers and drew interest from the Phoenix Suns. It is not clear if the Cavaliers and Hawes had any dialogue about a new contract. Hawes averaged 13.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in 27 games with the Cavaliers after being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline in exchange for two future second-round picks and forward Earl Clark.
The Clippers, pursuing Paul Pierce in free agency, are looking to engage the Cavaliers in sign-and-trade talks for Hawes as well. Acquiring Hawes via a sign-and-trade would preserve the Clippers' mid-level exception, which they would then offer to Pierce. At this time, it is not clear if the Cavs are willing to engage in a sign-and-trade or what they would receive if they did participate in a sign-and-trade.