The good thing about tanking is that it allows your team to take risks. The Philadelphia 76ers have taken the ultimate risk - allow your center to take three point shots. Spencer Hawes has made that gamble a winning one.

Spencer Hawes was taken at a high draft spot (10^th overall) in 2007 right after Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls. Noah has established himself as a top five center in the league, while Hawes was a mere back-up at best.

However, Hawes still maintained a reputation of having a sweet touch from outside, which is uncanny for a seven footer. This is a weapon that the Sixers have not capitalized on. Until now.

According to Hoop 76: "Spencer Hawes is attempting more 3-pointers per game than Ray Allen, and he's hitting them at a higher rate. This doesn't seem like it could possibly be true, but it is, in fact, a fact. The Sixer is launching 4.1 triples a night and making good on 42.7 percent of them, while the NBA's all-time leading 3-point shooter is at 3.9 and 38 percent."

That is correct, Hawes is being compared to Ray Allen, perhaps the NBA's best shooter of all time.

The league has taken notice, and this is the goal of the Sixers. Hawes is now at his peak trade value. If they traded him at the start of the season, he would only be valued because he's seven feet tall. Now he's a 'stretch 5' who can shoot over his opponents and draw opposing big men away from the basket.

The Sixers want to get assets for the future, and if they can showcase their veterans enough to make them worth first round picks, then their goal is half accomplished.

CBS Sports says the ultimate goal for the Sixers, though, is Omer Asik. Houston is holding out for draft picks, but the longer it takes, the more they have to face the reality that it's not going to happen.

The Sixers aren't willing to give up Thaddeus Young for Asik in a straight swap, since Young is the better player. The Rockets won't give a draft pick for Young either.

Hawes improved play may make him a possible candidate for an Asik trade. A 'stretch 5' can work as good as a stretch four, and the Rockets need to give up Asik. If the Sixers can score Asik without giving up Young or a draft pick, then Hawes has fulfilled his purpose