Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks reportedly set to waive George Hill ahead of guarantee date

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 17: George Hill #3 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks high five during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors on May 17, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 17: George Hill #3 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks high five during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors on May 17, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In what was an anticipated move ahead of the start of free agency, the Milwaukee Bucks will waive veteran guard George Hill to make him an unrestricted free agent.

The moves keep on coming and coming for the Milwaukee Bucks as they prepare for the start of this year’s free agency period.

First reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic Friday afernoon, the Bucks will be waiving veteran guard George Hill to make him an unrestricted free agent.

Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirmed the news some minutes later.

As has been well covered here at BTBP and elsewhere around the Bucks blogosphere, Hill’s guarantee date on his current contract was July 1, which would have minted the $18 million he would have been owed under that structure.

More from Bucks News

Of course, with the Bucks’ many free agency concerns at the moment, it was very expected that the team would waive the 33-year-old ahead of his salary becoming guaranteed to open as much as cap room as they can to retain more significant pieces.

By doing so, though, Hill is now free to negotiate with other teams and find a suitor that would be willing to give him more money than the Bucks will be available to offer.

That doesn’t mean the door is completely shut on Hill extending his stay in Milwaukee and we already heard earlier Friday from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst, who both reported that both parties have interest in working on a new deal:

"“Meanwhile, the Bucks have not totally closed the door on George Hill, sources said. With just $1 million of his $19 million contract guaranteed, Hill will be waived by the Bucks. But the two sides have an interest in working something out to have Hill return. He could be an option if Brogdon gets an offer elsewhere that the Bucks don’t match.”"

What the Bucks can’t offer Hill in more financial stability, they certainly can offer him a valuable role to help him achieve his championship aspirations as we saw over the course of this season upon his arrival from the Cleveland Cavaliers and into the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

With Hill hitting the open market, the backup point guard spot will be critical for the Bucks to address in free agency, in the event that Hill lands elsewhere on cushy new deal.

Next. Bucks: 5 big men to target in free agency. dark

Like so much of the latest buzz surrounding the Bucks ahead of free agency, we’ll have you covered on their potential pursuit to re-sign Hill and/or their contingency plans for their point guard depth this offseason.

Home/Bucks News