NBA Trades: 3 packages to help the Milwaukee Bucks move George Hill
By Dalton Sell
After a rather successful 2022 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks will now attempt to retool their roster further through trades and free agency.
Among the most prominent priorities for general manager Jon Horst should be finding an upgrade at the backup point guard position. George Hill just had an incredibly lackluster campaign, having a season to forget as he put up some of the worst numbers in his career. Considering that the guard just turned 36-years-old, Hill’s best years in the league are almost certainly behind him, so moving his $4 million salary for the 2022-23 season should be explored as the Bucks look to improve their bench brigade. With all that being said, here are three trade packages to help the Milwaukee Bucks move George Hill this offseason.
A George Hill trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers
This trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers is far from anything seismic. Milwaukee would land a former first round pick in Justise Winslow while sending a veteran guard in George Hill to the Blazers, who appear to be collecting pieces to contend next season. It is not a glamorous deal, but it could make sense for both parties involved.
For the Bucks, Winslow could be an interesting piece to add to this roster. Though the former Duke product has bounced around the league over the past few years, perhaps joining a contender such as the Bucks could help Winslow find his footing. The 26-year-old has managed to stay in the NBA due to his pestering defense and relentless hustle, which the Bucks are always looking to stock up on. Standing at 6-foot-6, Winslow could also help shore up another huge problem of Milwaukee’s, which is their versatility. Winslow can play and defend several positions at a high level, and it was clear in the 2022 playoffs that the Bucks need more players that can do that. When they were up against bigger wings like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Bucks had no answer to combat the pair defensively, and someone like Winslow could provide some help in that regard.
Getting Hill off the books would also allow the Bucks to offer soon-to-be free agent Jevon Carter a legitimate role next season. As Carter ponders his option in free agency, the chance to stick around in Milwaukee and play an actual role next season with Hill gone could be enticing after he was left on the bench throughout most of the 2022 postseason.
From Portland’s point of view, adding Hill would give them a veteran ball-handler off the bench to run the point when Damian Lillard is catching his breath. The Blazers could use some added depth at the point guard position, given that aside from Lillard, they do not have too much personnel at the position. Former Buck Eric Bledsoe is on their roster, but the franchise will have until July 10 to decide whether or not to fully guarantee his $19.4 million salary for next season. Considering that the alternative is waiving Bledsoe and paying just $3.9 million, they will likely look to let the guard go and seek a different backup. Hill is not the flashiest name, but he could fit the billing.
Financially, trading these two players straight up works, as Winslow is set to make just a tick more than Hill will next season. Considering that this trade would allow the Bucks to move Hill, bring in a versatile forward, and potentially open to door to bring Carter back to town, they should ponder it.