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Ranking the 5 Cavs most likely to be traded

By Quenton S. Albertie

Cleveland Cavaliers J.R. Smith (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers J.R. Smith (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 03: George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 03: George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. George Hill

Though George Hill is a veteran point guard that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be wise to have as a mentor for rookie Collin Sexton, Hill is owed $37 million over the next two seasons (only $1 million is guaranteed in 2019-2020). With that said, Hill’s contract value completely exceeds his on-court value.

That’s reason numero uno for why the Cavs would trade Hill. The other reason is that, unlike J.R. Smith, there aren’t many negatives associated with Hill. As a result, his trade value is likely better than Smith’s.

Hill won’t be winning any scoring titles and, at 32-years-old, his prime is behind him. He’s also been relatively injury-prone over the last few seasons, playing in under 50 games twice since the 2014-2015 season.

However, Hill is a heady player with relatively consistent production. He’s averaged 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steal per game (on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 40.8 percent shooting from three) over the last three seasons, starting 182 out of 190 games.

When his mentoring of Sexton is complete, which could be by the trade deadline, he’s a player who could be moved to a team for a couple of players making under $10 million annually if the Cavs are willing to attach a future draft pick in the deal.

It’s an unlikely option but it’s plausible.

Sexton has proven himself to be a fast learner and playing under former NBA point guards in Avery Johnson (his head coach at the University of Alabama) and Tyronn Lue (his current head coach) will only help him develop as a point guard.

Sexton also gets advice from a future Hall of Famer in Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul.

It’s possible that Hill’s veteran savvy will likely only keep him on the roster for as long as Sexton needs him.