Milwaukee Bucks: Grades for George Hill’s three-year, $29 million deal

BOSTON - MAY 6: (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - MAY 6: (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 25: Eric Bledsoe #6, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34, and George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-five during a game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 25: Eric Bledsoe #6, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34, and George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-five during a game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Role

Of course, securing Hill’s return was near the top of what was already a long wish list going into the start of this year’s free agency period.

After waiving Hill from his previous contract before free agency began, the Bucks were left without any cover behind starting point guard Eric Bledsoe.

That was even more magnified after the Bucks reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Indiana Pacers for combo guard Malcolm Brogdon shortly after free agency officially kicked off, which netted them future draft compensation (one first rounder, two second rounders).

Now that the Indianapolis native has returned back into the mix, the Bucks get a very valuable, all-purpose guard that was already well accustomed to the system that head coach Mike Budenholzer implemented last season.

And given that Bledsoe’s playoff struggles resurfaced in a horrible way during the Bucks’ playoff run last year, Hill’s importance was even more paramount to the team’s success on the court, enough to make him the team’s sixth man by that point.

All of that will surely carry over into next season where the Bucks will look to improve on the mark they made following their 60-win campaign and first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 18 years last season.