Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Posted: 3:35 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
The 76ers on Wednesday extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young, beating the June 30 deadline. Financial details have not been disclosed.
Tendering the contracts gives the team the option to match any offer sheet that Hawes or Young signs on the open market.
Hawes started all but one game at center for the Sixers this past season, averaging 7.2 points on 47-percent shooting to go along with 5.7 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game. The team is looking for an upgrade to Hawes via trade, free agency, or Thursday's draft.
Young evolved into a stellar sixth man during his first year under coach Doug Collins, posting 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game and finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. The lefty forward ranked ninth in the league in field goal percentage at 54.1 percent. Off-season moves could allow Young to shift back to his natural small forward position after spending last season as an undersized (6-foot-8) power forward.
The free agency period begins July 1.