King James Gospel
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Cavs should consider trading George Hill to Suns

By Nathan Beighle

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) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 23: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns posts up against George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dragan Bender; George Hill
CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 23: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns posts up against George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dragan Bender; George Hill /

An Ideal Package

The Cleveland Cavaliers would receive Dragan Bender.

Bender played in all 82 games last season, scoring 6.5 points per game, almost double his rookie season average. The thin, 7-foot-1 power forward was expected to be the next Kristaps Porzingis when drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Obviously, Bender has not lived up to his expectations so far, but his career is far from over. Being just 21, Bender is light years from his prime.

One of the biggest perks for Bender is his displayed durability. At 7-foot-1, it’s not common to see time in all 82 games. The young forward hasn’t showcased his full potential yet.

For Phoenix, they would acquire George Hill. Hill was traded to the Cavs prior to the trade deadline last season.

One of the league’s elite shooters, Hill got off to a hot start in Sacramento, the team he signed a 3-year, $57 million contract with during the 2017 offseason. For a period, Hill held the league’s highest three-point percentage.

In Cleveland, Hill cooled off and took more of a secondary playmaking role behind LeBron James. Scoring just 9.4 points per game in Cleveland, Hill wasn’t able to display his entire skill set in the short amount of time he spent with the team.

There is much more than meets the eye in a trade like this. Here’s why each team would consider something like this.