NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 teams that could use George Hill
By Ian Levy
1. Detroit Pistons
Detroit has cooled after a hot run early in the season but they’re still clearly in win-now mode and pushing for the playoffs. Avery Bradley was supposed to provide some stability on the wing but his 2-point percentage has plummeted this season and the Pistons defense has been a disaster when he’s on the floor (continuing a persistent pattern of his team’s defenses performing worse when he’s on the court, despite his strong defensive reputation).
The given how well Luke Kennard has played in limited minutes it’s hard to imagine the Pistons are going to want to pony up and pay Bradley in free agency this summer. Hill could, in theory, fulfill Bradley’s role perhaps even better, while also offering a little more on-ball shot creation. It might also give the Pistons more flexibility to pursue trade scenarios for Reggie Jackson that don’t include a point guard, with Hill and Ish Smith stepping into that void.
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Bradley, Boban Marjanovic and Stanley Johnson would work salary-wise. This would allow the Kings to cut Bradley loose and save themselves a considerable amount of money, and taking a chance on Johnson’s potential in a new environment.