Dallas Mavericks appearing as third team in George Hill, Cavs trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to male a trade for George Hill of the Sacramento Kings. The Kings are trying to get the Dallas Mavericks in the deal for a three-team trade.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are serious about acquiring point guard George Hill from the Sacramento Kings and the Kings look prepared to move Hill for a package of Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye, Derrick Rose and a second-round draft pick.

It now appears as if the Kings have contacted the Dallas Mavericks as they attempt to move center Skal Labisierre and shooting guard Malachi Richardson. The Mavs’ price, a second-round pick from the Kings.

Quote from report by basketball insider Mike Fisher (scout.com):

"The Mavs’ price of poker to get involved in a George Hill three-way trade? I’m told the Kings’ second-round pick — which at this moment would be the first pick of the second round and the No. 31 pick overall — would be considered a “get” by Dallas."

If the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Hill, he’d become their starting shooting guard and make an immediate impact defending point guards, making plays in the pick-and-roll and making shots from the perimeter. Though Hill is a point guard nominally, at 6-foot-3 with a 7-foot wingspan he’s capable of playing both backcourt positions.

Playing in place of the struggling J.R. Smith, who is shooting 34.2 percent on threes, 37.5 percent from the field and is in the 25th percentile defending isolation possessions, the Cavs could finally get some rhythm and consistency from their starting two-guard.

Hill is shooting 44.8 percent from three, 46.1 percent from the field and is in the 87th percentile guarding pick-and-roll ball-handlers (Smith is in the 24th percentile) this season. He’s in the 38th percentile defending isolations this season but was in the 73rd percentile in 2016-2017 (Smith was in the 50th percentile) and the 91st percentile in 2015-2016 (Smith was in the 40th percentile), so this season seems like an aberration on the record of a renowned defender.

Another benefit of acquiring Hill is that with his long-term deal, he’s capable of being the team’s starting point guard if Isaiah Thomas is traded before the NBA’s trade deadline or isn’t re-signed in the offseason. Hill doesn’t provide the volume or isolation scoring Thomas does but he’s a balanced player that fits everything the team needs.

Related Story: What George Hill could bring to the Cavs

*Stats provided by NBA.com