NBA Free Agency: Spencer Hawes to Clippers, Raptors involved in a trade and a contract extension

Maybe it was the 4th of July effect, but Friday was a relatively quiet day of free agency in the NBA. Having said that, the buzz around Carmelo Anthony saw no signs of subsiding even though his trip to meet the shortlisted teams had concluded.There were a few reports suggesting Anthony’s inclination to stay at the Big Apple with a max contract, and that he seems motivated to lure Pau Gasol there as well.

While Anthony was taking a breather to make his mind about his decision after the weekend, LeBron James’ agent was a busy man. According to sources, LeBron’s agent Rich Paul has so far met with the following teams on Thursday and Friday – Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

While that was the buzz around the top two free agents this summer, here’s a list of all the agreements that took place on Friday:

Spencer Hawes signs with the Los Angeles Clippers

Spencer Hawes

The Los Angeles Clippers signed Spencer Hawes reportedly to a four-year deal worth 23 million dollars. Hawes started the past season with the Philadelphia 76ers but was traded at the mid-season deadline to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now he makes his way to the bright lights of the city of Los Angeles.

Certain to come off the bench, Hawes adds a lot of firepower to the Clippers half court offence with his three point shooting. For a 7 footer Hawes shoots an impressive 41% from beyond the arc for his career and nearly 45% in his short stint for the Cavaliers in the second half of the season. Hawes can also play the back-up big man role to the likes of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.

Hawes averaged 13.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3 assists in the past season with the Sixers and Cavaliers. Aged 26 and in his seventh season in the NBA, Hawes’ talent and inside-outside game would be put to good use under the coaching of Doc Rivers, the Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Clippers.

Plenty of news from the Raptors

In 48 games for the Toronto Raptors, Patrick Patterson averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season but most importantly he was an integral part of the roster that was credited for suprising all by making it to the Playoffs as the third seed. So making him a priority, the Raptors have come to an agreement with Patterson to a three year deal worth 18 million dollars.

Patterson was drafted 14th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2010 and then was traded twice before finding a place in the North with the Raptors. He was acquired by Toronto in December 2013 from the Sacramento Kings.

The Raptors have been one of the busiest teams so far in the free agency and they maintained thier lead at the top with another trade on Friday. Toronto sent Steve Novak and a future second round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for guard Diante Garrett. According to the source that reported this, the trade was a means of clearing cap space for the Raptors as they look to waive the acquired guard Garrett.

Garrett was the reserve for Trey Burke after being called from the D-League this past season. Meanwhile, it looks like Novak, who has already played for six teams in his eight-year NBA career, will have to change his address once again.