The Oklahoma City Thunder are surprisingly only 2.5 games out of the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. But don’t expect them to change course now, they are deadset on being sellers at the deadline and stockpile more assets to their already overflowing cache of draft capital. George Hill is a big name that they could move and the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers are all pursuing him.
The most recent Oklahoma City veteran to hit the rumor mill is Hill. Hill has played in only 14 games this season, but once again has provided steady production in his 26.4 minutes per game.
Hill is averaging 11.8 points on 50.8 percent shooting from the field overall, 38.6 percent from three-point land, and 84 percent from the foul line. That kind of efficiency is something any team would like to have, especially contending teams looking to solidify their rosters for a playoff push.
According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, numerous contenders are interested in acquiring Hill. The Lakers, Clippers and 76ers have all expressed interest in the veteran point guard.
Fischer also added that the asking price from the Thunder is clear.
“They’re willing to [both] take back and trade salary for draft compensation,” one Western Conference official said.
Of the three teams mentioned, the 76ers have the easiest path to sending out draft compensation, as they have a first-round pick they can dangle in trade negotiations. Matching salaries for Hill would also be easier than acquiring someone such as Kyle Lowry from the Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers and Clippers do not have the draft capital to offer up, so they will most likely have to hope for a buyout between Hill and the Thunder. That is unlikely, as one assistant GM said that isn’t Sam Presti’s M.O.
Expect George Hill, and possibly teammate Al Horford, to be on the move in the coming days as the Thunder continue to strip down their roster with an eye toward the future.
