Seattle PI: Spencer Hawes' stock takes a hit

An NBA Scout weighs in on the 7-foot freshman from Washington/Seattle Prep, and it sounds like his best bet may be sticking around for next year...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/303979_nban16.html

"He has very good hands, plays well in the open floor for a guy that's 6-11," the scout said. "He's very comfortable with the ball, has a great touch around the basket, nice form with his shot. He is not going to be the quickest or most athletic guy.

"Some guys like Hawes and (Pitt's) Aaron Gray, those guys were immediately looked at as lottery picks 15 years ago. (But) just because you're big doesn't give you that advantage. There are plenty of NBA teams who have won titles without a big center, and if this 6-9 guy is more athletic, they may take him."

""He struggles against the more athletic, quicker big (men), and his rebounding skills are good but not great," the scout said. "He's gotta get stronger on his lower body. He's not that imposing force defensively."

The scout had a suggestion for any freshman on the bubble.

"If you're going to put your name into this year's draft, you'd better come with very little flaws," he said. "(Hawes) could definitely benefit his draft status by going back to school. In no way is he a lock for the lottery. (The 2008 draft) is not going to have the amount of big men (as this year's draft)."

Personally, I think Portland could use a passing big man with range out to 20.  The problem is, if Hawes' stock rises enough where he'd come out this year, he'd be unavailable where Portland is picking at.  If his stock stays where it is now, he won't come out at all.  

Pity.