George Hill, formerly the point guard of the Utah Jazz, was on the trading block recently and it was rumored he would be heading to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Days later, reports surfaced he signed a three-year contract with the Sacramento Kings. Sports Illustrated reported that the deal with Hill is worth $57 million but the final year will be an option season.
What Hill will bring to the Kings
The Sacramento Kings acquired George Hill because they wanted the veteran to help groom their rookie point guards, De’ Aaron Fox and Frank Mason III.
Hill played for San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and most recently for the Utah Jazz over his career.
Hill is a good fit to mentor the two young Kings' guards as he averaged 16.9 points per game last season. He also averaged 4.2 assists, shot 47 percent from the field, and 40 percent from the three-point line.
Sacramento Kings also sign Zach Randolph
Aside from Hill, Zach Randolph was also acquired by Sacramento. The former Memphis Grizzlies player signed a two-year, $24 million contract. He will reunite with current Kings coach Dave Joerger. He and Joerger worked together when they were both with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Randolph spent eight seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, making it to the playoffs for the past seven seasons.
Randolph averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during the 2016-2017 NBA season. Reports say the Sacramento Kings acquired him to mentor Willi Cauley-Stein, Harry Giles and Skal Labissiere.
Lakers wanted to acquire George Hill to mentor Lonzo Ball
Rumors circulated days ago that the Los Angeles Lakers met with Hill because they wanted him to mentor Lonzo Ball.
They wanted to groom the latter as their franchise point guard.
Aside from Hill, the Lakers were also reportedly eyeing Rajon Rondo (recently released by the Chicago Bulls) and Dion Waiters. The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly met with Waiters over the weekend, NESN shared. It is unclear who they will pursue now that Hill is with the Kings.
Aside from being a mentor for Ball, the Lakers showed interest in Hill because they currently lack a seasoned point guard. They recently traded D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets. Aside from the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks were also interested in acquiring Hill.
It seems that Hill and Lakers did not meet halfway with the terms of the contract and that is why he signed with the Sacramento Kings. This speculation is yet to be confirmed.
