Hawes' return made official

The Sixers formally announced today that restricted free agent center Spencer Hawes has accepted the team's qualifying offer.

That means he will make $4.1 million for this season and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Hawes had a physical at Main Line Health this morning and is practicing with the team in the morning session, the first of two practices on the day.

The training camp roster now stands at 17, including three players who are there on a tryout basis and are not under contract for the season.

"With the signing of Spencer, we now have our core returning - a group that is very familiar with each other, their roles and Coach Collins' system and philosophies," Sixers president Rod Thorn said.

Hawes (7-1, 245) started all but one game for the Sixers last season, averaging 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.88 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game. Over the final 18 games, he averaged 27.1 mpg, up from 19.5 his first 63 games played. The Sixers were 14-6 when he scored in double-figures.