The NBA Trade Deadline was moved up this year and is rapidly approaching. George Hill is a piece who could move the needle for several playoff contenders.
George Hill was linked to several good teams this summer but the market moved quickly and he ended up taking a three-year, $60 million deal from the Sacramento Kings. The idea was that he would serve as a veteran mentor on the young team and help provide stability for their growth.
Sacramento is again likely headed for a top five pick in the NBA Draft, De’Aaron Fox seems to be coming along nicely and Frank Mason looks like a steal for the Kings, providing a spark at point guard off the bench. It just doesn’t seem all that useful, for Hill or Sacramento, to keep things together. Hill is playing the fewest minutes per game since his rookie season but he has plenty to offer a playoff contender.
Here are a few teams that could use Hill for a stretch run.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers depth seems to be finally gelling in the way they hoped it would this offseason. Iman Shumpert’s return is still looming and they could certainly use his defense in the backcourt. However, there are looming questions. Jose Calderon and Derrick Rose have no place in a playoff rotation. J.R. Smith’s defense (and offense) has been sliding and it remains to be seen what they can actually get from Shumpert, whether Dwyane Wade’s health will hold up and whether Jeff Green can continue to play so well.
Hill would be a perfect addition — he’s an excellent defender and can cover both guard spots. He’s shooting better than 40 percent on 3-pointers for the third straight season and he’s comfortable working both on and off the ball. A terrific spot-up shooter who could space the floor around Isaiah Thomas and LeBron James, or help spell Dwyane Wade in running the second-unit offense. A strong and versatile wing defender who can fit in a variety of lineups. Hill could solve a lot of the Cavaliers’ problems.
The issue is what it would take to pry Hill from Cleveland. To make the salaries work, Cleveland would likely need to send back Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert. Losing Thompson could hurt Cleveland’s defense but sending Kosta Koufos back to Cleveland solves some of that issue and makes the salaries work. Neither Thompson or Shumpert are appealing on their own for Sacramento which means the Nets pick probably has to go to Sacramento and some young prospect like Malachi Richardson or Justin Jackson goes back to Cleveland.
A high pick for Hill would work great for the Kings. Cleveland would be giving up some of their future but Hill increases their championship odds this season as much as any backcourt player they could likely acquire.