Clippers agree to four-year deal with center Spencer Hawes

The Clippers and free-agent center Spencer Hawes on Friday agreed to a four-year, $23-million deal, NBA executives confirmed.

The excecutives spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Hawes, who played for Philadelphia and Cleveland last season and made $6.5 million, will receive the Clippers’ full mid-level exception, which starts at $5.305 million per year.

There have been reports that Clippers Coach and President Doc Rivers had been trying to work a sign-and-trade deal with Cleveland for Hawes so he could use the mid-level exception to try to get free-agent small forward Paul Pierce.

The 7-foot-1 Hawes is the type of backup big man Rivers wants to play behind starting power forward Blake Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan.

Hawes has the ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting. He shot 41.6% from three-point range last season, and averaged 13.2 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Hawes also has become a good free-throw shooter, making 78.3% and 77.7% the last two seasons, 70.3% over his seven-year career.

Like all free agents who have agreed to deals since the free-agency period opened July 1, Hawes can’t sign his contract until Thursday, when the NBA lifts is moratorium.

Yahoo Sports first reported the agreement between the Clippers and Hawes.

Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter: @BA_Turner