George Hill was expected to join the Cleveland Cavaliers. So much so that the executives told the players he would be.
On Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst appeared on the HoopsHype Podcast with Alex Kennedy and revealed some particularly interesting information regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers trading for Sacramento Kings point guard George Hill.
While the deal between the Cavs and Kings was said to be on the “on the 1-yard line” just last week — in fact those words were uttered by Windhorst himself — nothing has materialized on that front yet.
That’s particularly interesting not just because it’s a deal that seemed to be on the verge of completion but because, according to Windhorst, the Cleveland Cavaliers executives told the players to expect a Hill trade:
Quote transcribed by HoopsHype:
"“The reason I was so [adamant] that it was going to happen is because they talked to the players about it. When it’s the actual team [executives] going to the players and saying, ‘This is going to happen,’ typically that means it’s going to happen.”"
It’s interesting that the execs, likely led by general manager Koby Altman, told the players to expect a trade.
When Windhorst broke the news about the trade, the Cavs had a game against the San Antonio Spurs that night. The Cavs dusted off Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye didn’t play, kind of what you’d expect from two players said to be the primary pieces in a Hill trade.
J.R. Smith, who Hill would have usurped in the starting lineup, went 0-4 from the field but held Danny Green to 1-7 shooting from deep. In their next game, Smith had a vintage “SWISH” performance and banged in seven triples on his way to 23 points. Smith would continue his hot shooting in the Cavs’ last game, going 4-7 from deep.
This isn’t the first time this season Smith has had a stretch of solid performances but it’s interesting they came so soon after Hill would have been mentioned as a trade target.
Smith credits film study, the attention Tristan Thompson draws away from him in the corners and advice from Kyle Korver as the reasons why his performance has been better. He’s not lying. However, whether coincidence or not, it seems like news of the Hill trade boosted Smith’s energy and urgency.
According to Windhorst, there are plenty of reasons why the trade Hill hasn’t materialized though.
On the one hand, the Cleveland Cavaliers are concerned about a nagging toe injury that Hill has:
"“There’s the George Hill health issue. He missed three of four games [recently]. And I know they aren’t playing their veterans, but he had the toe issue pop up earlier this month and he’s been battling this toe issue for two years now. He’s missed six of his last [11] games – some because of the toe and some because he’s been a healthy scratch. I do think there was some concern within the Cavs organization about that.”"
On a team where Isaiah Thomas is working himself back from injury, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson have had injury-riddled seasons as of late, guys like LeBron James and Kevin Lone are privy to back strains and a number of guys (Dwyane Wade, Kyle Korver, Jose Calderon) are older guys, health and durability are important factors.
Bringing in another player who will be in and out of the lineup won’t do much to help team chemistry or help head coach Tyronn Lue stick to rotations.
To that point, another reason the Hill trade hasn’t happened yet is because Lue has altered his rotation.
After Lue reinserted Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup, another issue has been the play of Frye. He’s done well all season and continues to play well within the team’s second unit. As a result, it’s a lot more difficult to trade him; it was different when he wasn’t in the rotation and Lue couldn’t find a way for him to be.
Finally, the last reason comes from the Kings side. According to ESPN radio host Ryan Hollins, the Cavs want Hill (who will earn $39 million between this season and next) to agree to a preliminary buyout if James leaves in free agency. Hill, a 31-year-old point guard who may not get a chance to earn that type of money again, is unwilling to do so.
Even if Smith is shooting the ball well again, the Cleveland Cavaliers still need to attempt a trade that brings in defensive help in the backcourt. Shumpert, their best option for defending opposing point guards successfully, is currently out of the rotation and on the trade block after three and a half underwhelming season in the Land.
Combo guard Avery Bradley, though recently traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, could still be available.