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George Hill coming to Utah

I was a bit surprised they gave up the 12 pick for Hill. But, in the grand scheme, we are a pretty young team and don't need another project player right off the bat. What we need and what a lot of us have been clamoring for his veteran players to come in and help transition this team into a playoff caliber force.

George Hill is good pick up and will help ease the burden by keeping defenders honest just a little more. Plus, now Trey Burke is even more expendable, and that's always good.
 
I'm coming around to this deal. Hill is a good fit for the team on a tiny contract. If the Jazz has gotten some type of agreement they can re-sign Hill to an extension this is a gamble but one worth while.
 
Here's ESPN's Trade Grades (Insider)

Atlanta Hawks: B-
As has been widely discussed, the Hawks were headed toward making a choice between Teague and backup point guard Dennis Schroder at some point in the next 12 months. Both Schroder and Teague are entering the final season of their contracts, and both figure to get far more expensive as free agents -- Teague unrestricted, Schroder restricted, if he and Atlanta can't come to a contract extension this fall.

So the Hawks were almost inevitably going to choose one of the two point guards as their starter going forward and trade the other. From a value standpoint, getting four years of a late lottery pick (the 12th pick) on a rookie contract for one year of Teague is a solid move.

I project the No. 12 pick as worth about $14 million in production above his salary. That's more than the difference in going from Teague with Schroder as a backup to Schroder with a backup Atlanta can sign with the additional cap space this deal created (a little less than $6 million) -- in other words, the trade makes sense from that perspective.

The Hawks could also use that newfound space to re-sign Kent Bazemore if he gets a big offer as an unrestricted free agent. Because Atlanta only has Early Bird rights on Bazemore, the Hawks will almost certainly have to use cap space to sign him, and previously were likely to have about $17 million for that purpose according to current cap projections. Now Atlanta can pay Bazemore a salary starting at more than $20 million. (Whether that's a good idea is a different question, but it's probably better to have the option.)

I still have my concerns about whether Schroder is the right choice at Atlanta's starting point guard. His erratic decision making figures to be more problematic as a starter than it was when Mike Budenholzer always had the option of bringing the more reliable Teague back in the game. But once the Hawks made that choice, a deal like this was a good outcome.

Indiana Pacers: C
Two years ago, with Paul George sidelined nearly all season following his compound leg fracture, George Hill used a career-high 23.8 percent of the Pacers' plays and simultaneously posted the second-best true shooting percentage of his career (.579) while handing out 8.9 assists per 36 minutes.

Indiana's response to that was to sign Monta Ellis, which in conjunction with George's return shifted Hill back to the spot-up role he's occupied most of his career. His usage dropped to 15.8 percent, and Hill was also less efficient (.555 true shooting).

I'm not sure why Indiana didn't trust Hill in a playmaking role, but now they've swapped him for a point guard, Teague, who is a weaker defender and outside shooter (both made 40 percent of their 3s last year, but Hill has been more accurate over the course of his career) but has a longer track record as a playmaker.

Because of the whole range of skills, ESPN's real plus-minus sees this as a downgrade for the Pacers. Hill has consistently rated above average, while Teague was slightly worse than average last season.

On the positive side, Teague is two years younger than Hill. There's some concern about how Teague will fare once his vaunted quickness starts to wane, but his improvement as an outside shooter gives him a chance to remain valuable into his early 30s. That's the timetable covered by a possible renegotiation and extension that could keep Teague in Indiana beyond the final season of his current contract.

If the Pacers still have cap space left over -- they'll start with a little more than $25 million -- they can use some of it to increase Teague's 2016-17 salary while simultaneously extending his contract at a lower price than he'd likely command in free agency. That process, utilized by the Denver Nuggets with Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari last year, gets Teague the money sooner while giving Indiana more flexibility.

A renegotiation and extension was never realistic for Atlanta because the Hawks will probably need their cap space to re-sign Bazemore or sign a replacement. Indiana may have more available space because the Pacers can exceed the cap to re-sign starting center Ian Mahinmi for more than his $7.6 million cap hold.

Utah Jazz: B-plus
From a skills standpoint, Hill has long been an obvious fit for the Jazz, who were also linked to Teague before the trade deadline. Because Utah wings Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood are effective with the ball in their hands, the Jazz are best off with a point guard who can space the floor. Hill fills that role, can also run the offense and has the size to fit in well with Utah's defensive scheme.

At 30, Hill is probably a little older than Utah would prefer, but he can help bridge the gap to Dante Exum if the Australian point guard returns successfully from the torn ACL that sidelined him last season. Because of their size and skills, Hill and Exum can comfortably play together in the backcourt.


Since the Jazz have ample cap room, adding Hill's salary isn't really an issue (they'll still have nearly $17 million left when this deal is completed in July). And Utah has enough youth on the roster that another prospect wasn't necessarily a big need. The Jazz are ready to start winning now, and Hill increases their 2016-17 potential.

In fact, I think this move solidifies Utah as one of the five best teams in the Western Conference next season.

Like Teague, Hill is also entering the final season of his contract, and the one concern here is that the Jazz's payroll could escalate quickly in 2017-18 when Rudy Gobert is up for a new deal and Hayward can opt to become a free agent.

It's possible that a renegotiation and extension could help Utah too. The Jazz probably won't be able to spend all of their cap space this season, and paying Hill now could keep his contract more reasonable in 2017-18 and beyond if he wants to stay in Utah.

Scraped at insider2text.xyz, brought to you by HeheStreams — No ********
 
While I agree that you can't declare any trade a win or a loss without the benefit of time, I'm a huge fan of this deal.

I don't think Utah makes the trade without talking to Hill's agent and at least having a decent idea that they're gonna be able to lock him up long term. He's also more than just a PG. He can defend 3 positions, is an absolute dream fit schematically, and is as solid of a locker room guy as your gonna get.

A huge step in the right direction with our first offseason move. Huge.
 
https://theringer.com/jeff-teague-trade-pacers-hawks-jazz-reaction-e3f4740891e2#.ohcb7pkrf

You trade for George Hill when you feel you’re on the precipice of something. The Pacers were brutalized by the Bulls in the first round of the 2011 playoffs, but it was a beacon in disguise. Desperate for some answer on Derrick Rose, the Pacers stuck an eager and willing Paul George on him. In that handful of possessions, George’s latent potential glimmered. The Pacers had found their way. They just needed stability. Hill started all 11 playoff games in 2011–12, his first season with the Pacers, pushing Indy to six games in an eye-opening series against the Miami Heat.

Disclaimer: Hill is one of my favorite players, and I’m going to opt out of defending that statement. Hill is not exciting. He is the Alex Smith of NBA starting point guards, a caretaker who can do a lot of things well enough while still remaining invisible through the course of a game. He makes good teams better. He averaged 12 points, four rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season; he shot nearly 41 percent from 3. He had the second-highest playoff on-court net rating of any Pacer outside of Paul George, and George beat him out by only a tenth of a point.

Even at 30, he is thriving within the shifting inequalities of the league. Teams don’t need ball-dominant point guards anymore. Circulate the ball, move off the ball, find open looks, and don’t look like an idiot when switched on a bigger defender. Hill has been an above-average shooter his entire career, he’s never averaged more than two turnovers a game, and he has one of the longest wingspans relative to his height in the NBA.

Utah’s defensive monolith will get stronger with Hill. Playing him with Dante Exum and Gordon Hayward in a lineup allows for maximum versatility without any ball-stopping. The Jazz have been so close to relevancy for what has felt like an eternity. It doesn’t look like much; it never does with Hill. But the Jazz are a playoff team now. Like, for real.
 
I'm coming around to this deal. Hill is a good fit for the team on a tiny contract. If the Jazz has gotten some type of agreement they can re-sign Hill to an extension this is a gamble but one worth while.

Tony Jones
@Tjonessltrib

Hill's agent said they would've looked at Utah next season in free agency regardless. He loves Snyder, has close relationship with Hayward

Tony Jones claims Hill is into that idea
 
Although #12 for a 30 year old PG with 1 year left on his contract may be an overpayment, I understand & like this move. For awhile now, I've felt that we needed to either add veterans & attempt to win now or trade our players nearing the end of their contracts (Hayward/Favors) & continue to rebuild.

George Hill absolutely makes sense for this team (more so than Teague IMO). He's a good defender & 3pt shooter capable of playing either guard position. Although #12 is a bit much to give up for him, realistically we weren't going to get better production from a rookie in what will undoubtedly be a defining season for this franchise.

Adding Hill not only gives us a veteran at a position of need, but it takes a lot of pressure off of Dante Exum as well. This trade also gives us a very solid rotation with Hill/Exum, Hayward/Hood/Burks, & Favors/Gobert/Lyles (not to mention Mack, Neto, Ingles, Whithey, etc) That is a deep, flexible, defensive oriented team that compliments eachother well. I expect us to compete for the 4/5 seed & have a very good chance at advancing to the 2nd round (assuming we stay moderately healthy *knock on wood*).

While it's always fun to dream on the potential of a lottery pick, veteran leadership, defensive ability, & 3 pt shooting out of the PG position is much more valuable to our current roster than additional potential would have been (which we have plenty of). We had come to a fork in the road & it was time for management to pick a direction, I'm just glad they made a definitive decision. Welcome to Utah, George Hill. Go Jazz!
Great post.
I feel the same way
 
Just spoke to G Hill's agent: Although on one year deal, the hope is Hill will be in Utah long term
— Tony Jones (@Tjonessltrib) June 22, 2016
Hill's agent said they would've looked at Utah next season in free agency regardless. He loves Snyder, has close relationship with Hayward
— Tony Jones (@Tjonessltrib) June 22, 2016
Agent said Hill wants to go "where he is loved"....didn't always feel appreciated in Indiana with the Pacers
— Tony Jones (@Tjonessltrib) June 22, 2016
...

This is enough of good omen coming out of the Hill camp for me to get officially excited about this trade. I didn't know there was a relationship with Hayward or a fondness for Snyder. Great to hear.

Also, I've always thought Hill's game would age well. He's got 4 or 5 productive years left. 4 or 5 years of Hill would be much better than we were likely to get out of the 12th pick in this draft.
 
I know a lot of people don't do it on here but it's called agreeing haha.
Lol. Ya it's been so long since someone agreed with me I forgot what is like.
 
Why are the Jazz telegraphing this? That almost guarantees they are going to have to eat his contract. Why not say something like "We think Trey is a valuable part of our team, has a great upside and is in our long-term plans."?

Well, I can think of two reasons:

1. They tried it, but everyone assumed they were talking about Lyles, or
2. They broke into hysterical laughter every time they tried to spit it out.
 
I don't see it that way at all. Hill's agent said he wants to re-sign in Utah if possible. So Lindsey has perfect insurance: if Dante blows up, then he's our guy. If he doesn't, then re-sign Hill next summer. Win-win.

Hill is 30. He isn't a long term solution. He is a 1-2 year stop gap. A really good one, but a short one.
 
I'm having difficulty understanding why we didn't just get Teague and leave Indiana out of this. Teague is two years younger and the better player.
A few things. The Jazz view Exum as the man at pg is their high priced high draft pick.

Also to resign Teague we are looking at 14-17 million a year. Sounds like Hill wants to be here long term. IMO I don't think DL gives up the pick for a one year rental. Signing Teague would hurt the long term potential of Exum. I don't think Teague would want to sign a shorter deal.

Last. U can play Exum and Hill together giving Exum more minutes.
Like sir said, why did we get Hill and not Teague.
Look at my post above.


I like Hill more than Teague, but the cost was too high if all we get back is Hill for #12
Lol. This from a guy that wanted to trade Hayward for the 3rd pick. Lol
I'm with Cy, 100%.
Get a screen shot of this whoa!!!


As far as this trade goes it's a good one. A total steal if Exum still starts. Our bench was already deep. Now it's loaded if Hill comes off the bench.
 
[MENTION=228]green[/MENTION]

Cmon man. You scared?


Am I scared? Nope. I'm also not stupid. If this team stays healthy, they will get close to 50 wins. Hill isn't the answer. The bet you proposed is what a simple man would propose.

So, no. Why would I make a bet about win totals when the health of the Jazz will effect that a lot more than Hill will. Only an idiot would take that bet.
 
Hill hitting that age where guys often start to go downhill. If he does sign long term I hope he can still be a decent player.

Yeah, I remember Stockton losing a step when he turned 29 ... dude never amounted to much after that.
 
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