Pitch-a-free-agent: Sending George Hill our best offers

Free agency is when everything is possible. No matter how small your market is, all it takes is one sensational pitch. Because we’re helpful people here at The Step Back, we’re each picking teams and penning our best offers to the free agents we think those teams should chase. Here’s what we have for George Hill.

Los Angeles Clippers

We’re sad Chris Paul left us. You remind us a great deal of him in one way, though. You’re just such a smart player. Gregg Popovich probably wouldn’t have traded you away for anyone other than Kawhi Leonard, and he’s right for viewing you in that way. Like our dearly departed Paul, you keep your turnovers to a minimum and you play tenacious yet smart defense. We’re willing to look past your injury woes in two of the last three seasons simply because of the promise of what you can bring when healthy. In addition to the strong defense and low turnover rate we mentioned earlier, we’re excited about the contributions you’d make to our outside shooting.

While we don’t honestly see our team as a championship contender next season, we’re confident we would comfortably make our seventh consecutive playoff appearance and that you would fit nicely alongside BFFs Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. You’re a winner, and we like that. Pardon the cliché, but the stats back it up. The Jazz went 33-16 with you in the lineup last season and were not much better than a .500 team (18-15) without you. One underrated aspect of your joining us would be that Griffin would get to team up with another ripped guy. Who has a lower percentage of body fat between the two of you? We’re hearing that it’s actually you.

Our offer: Three years, $65 million

— Aaron Fischman (@byAaronFisch)

Philadelphia 76ers

George, we get it. If Gordon Hayward re-signs with the Utah Jazz, you’re staying there as well. If the allure of reuniting with Brad Stevens is too much for Hayward to ignore, however, you should give serious consideration to flipping conferences and joining our up-and-coming core.

Did you enjoy playing alongside Rudy Gobert this year? Not only does Joel Embiid tout similar defensive upside, but he’s already a legitimate threat from beyond the 3-point arc. Think you’re better suited playing off the ball at times? Ben Simmons will help alleviate your ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities, freeing you up to cut off the ball. Your 40-plus percent long-range accuracy would be a boon to our offense, and Simmons’ passing ability should create no shortage of open looks for you. Between you, Embiid and Robert Covington, we’d also have a stifling defense capable of shutting down guards, wings and bigs alike.

We might not be immediate championship contenders, but with unprotected first-round picks coming from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and Sacramento Kings in 2019, our young talent pipeline will continually replenish even as we move into the playoff conversation. No other team in the league has our combination of young talent, assets and cap space, so even if you get a higher offer elsewhere, consider the upside of our roster when making your decision.

Our offer: Two years, $55 million (with a third-year team option)

— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek)

Indiana Pacers

George, we’re sorry. We totally biffed this one. Like utterly and completely fell flat on our faces. There’s no reason you should forgive us, but we have to ask because we know now that we’re better off with you.

We still think we can keep Paul George and Jeff Teague isn’t the guy to convince him. Your defense was always stellar for us and your shooting give our offense the spacing it desperately needs. Lance is back too and you guys were so good together. So good.

We know we don’t deserve it, but please, give us one more chance to make this right.

Our offer: Four years, $72 million

— Ian Levy (@HickoryHigh)

Utah Jazz

Heh, life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to, does it, George? You could have been the trusty backup to Tony Parker for so many championship runs in San Antonio. Instead, you’ve gone to two also-ran playoff teams located in very tiny, not-very-attractive cities. And now most casual fans just associate you with being on the wrong side of maybe the most visionary trade in history, the whole Kawhi Leonard thing. I know you know this. Look at me rambling.

You’re a pragmatic man, George, so let me put it to you this way: where else are you going to go? To the Clippers, filling the space left by a departed Chris Paul? You’ll just be a disappointing Plan B in their eyes, George. Back to the Pacers? Heh, sure you are. Brett Brown, he is going to whisper some very convincing sweet nothings in your ear, reminding you of all those fun player development times you had in San Antonio. But George, you’re a man made for the playoffs — eight of your nine seasons, everybody knows that one time was just because Paul George broke his leg. The Kings would honestly be a perfect fit, with their young roster and improbable amount of cap space. Like that’s ever going to work out in the long-term, though. I didn’t even get nervous bringing that one up.

Next: Pitch-a-free-agent: Sending Serge Ibaka our best offers

At the end of the day, George, none of those other teams put their precious late-lottery pick on the line just to spend a single, glorious year with you. We let you set your career high in scoring average too, didn’t we? George, they don’t love you like I love you.

Our offer: Four years, $64 million

— Miles Wray (@mileswray)