George Hill found out that he was being traded to the Utah Jazz from his hometown Indiana Pacers last month from a voicemail from Larry Bird.
George Hill was born in Indianapolis, played four years at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and was traded to the Indiana Pacers in the famous Kawhi Leonard draft-night deal from the San Antonio Spurs back in 2011.
Hill is a hometown hero of Indianapolis, which made it a little surprising when the Pacers pulled the trigger on sending Hill to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade that landed them Jeff Teague from the Atlanta Hawks in the exchange.
The notable part was how Hill found out about the trade.
After a workout, Hill check his phone and noticed he had a voicemail. It was from Pacers president Larry Bird and he said, “We had to trade you to Utah”.
Hill was rather stunned at the news, but the 30-year-old is a veteran in the NBA. He understands that it’s a business and sometimes, things just happen.
“It came as a surprise,” Hill said to reporters about the trade.
“Last time I checked, I was supposed to retire from Indiana. Very surprising, but I know this is a business and anything can happen. So, I’m not upset about it. I think I’m in a great situation here. I’m here, somewhere where I feel wanted right now.”
It’s a bummer that Hill didn’t get to finish his career in Indianapolis, especially with how he found out he was traded from Bird. When it comes to departures, Bird isn’t one of the most compassionate guys in the department.
But, he has a good opportunity with an up-and-coming Utah Jazz roster that includes Gordon Hayward (who is also from Indianapolis), Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood and the 7’2” Rudy Gobert.
(h/t Vigilant Sports)
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