NBA Trade Rumors: 7 veterans who could help a contender

3. George Hill, Oklahoma City Thunder

After trading away Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Steven Adams over the past 20 months, the Oklahoma City Thunder are embarking upon a rebuild. Although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is doing his damnedest to keep them in the playoff hunt, the Thunder need to prioritize the long term at the trade deadline.

That means shipping out veterans such as George Hill, who isn’t on the same developmental curve as Gilgeous-Alexander and his younger teammates.

The 34-year-old came to the Thunder as part of the four-team trade that sent Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans. Although he isn’t leading the league in 3-point shooting percentage like he did last season, he’s knocking down 38.6 percent of his treys while chipping in 11.8 points, 3.1 assists and 2.1 rebounds in only 26.4 minutes per game.

Hill might not be starter material for a title hopeful, but he’d be an instant upgrade to any contender’s bench. His shooting efficiency, veteran know-how and ability to create offense both for himself and others should be particularly appealing to teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers that could use more playmakers.

Hill is owed $9.6 million this year, but only $1.3 million of his $10 million salary next season is guaranteed. A contender could look at him as an effectively expiring contract if it’s looking to create salary-cap space this offseason, or he could serve as a reasonably priced backup point guard for the next season-and-a-half.

The veteran underwent a minor procedure in early February “to address a mallet finger injury of his right thumb,” and he’s set to be reevaluated at the beginning of March. Once his timetable to return comes into clearer focus, the Thunder should begin calling around and gauging offers for him.