OKC Thunder: 2 George Hill trades to Magic that offer win-win scenarios
OKC Thunder 1 for 1 trade with visions of re-flipping player at trade deadline.
Orlando has an odd history, particularly with their backcourt. They’ve often used vets or combo guards instead of going with a classic style point guard akin to Chris Paul or Kyle Lowry style-wise.
Case in point, the last point guard who played for several seasons on the Magic was Jameer Nelson.
The revolving door in the backcourt in Orlando is palpable. Victor Oladipo was drafted to become the Magic PG of the future but was always better suited as a shooting guard or in a combo guard role.
Once the Magic figured that out they added Elfrid Payton and Luke Ridnour. Shabazz Napier followed but was replaced by DJ Augustin who sort of became the next long-term guard in the same type of role as Nelson. Next, Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams were added to bolster depth.
This offseason the Magic drafted Cole Anthony but he’s also more of a combo or shooting guard and Orlando also added two 2-way contracted guards.
With Augustine gone the future was all built around Markelle Fultz and Orlando made that clear by extending him for the next three seasons via a $50 million contract.
Now the Magic have lost both Jonathan Isaac and Fultz for the season. That may or may not change the Magic decision process.
But, the Magic have placed emphasis on getting to the playoffs and the next step for them is getting out of the first round. They still have several core talents with star Nikola Vucevic and the ever-impressive Aaron Gordon.
For years there was discussion about trading Gordon but coach Steve Clifford seems to have found a place for him in his system finally. Plus Gordon fits the timeline of Isaac, Fultz, and Anthony as the future core.
How trade helps Magic:
This brings me to trade number one. If the Magic remain committed to competing George Hill checks all the boxes for them. Hill is a tested playoff vet, can run the point, is an excellent leader, and most importantly will boast the Magic perimeter efficiency. Hill shot 46 percent from the perimeter last season on 3.0 attempts with the Bucks.
This season with less floor spacing on the Thunder he’s still shooting over 40 percent (43.3%) but he’s also upped the ante shooting 5.0 attempts per game.
What makes HIll very appealing for the Magic is his contract is on the lower side based on the skillset and experience. This season he’s set to earn $9.59 million with next season tapped for $10.04 million.
With Fultz out the Magic should get some insurance money back and this deal would save them money because both Ross and Fournier make more money. Specifically, Ross is contracted through the next three seasons at $13.5, $12.5, and $11.5 million while Fournier is in his final contract year and earning $17.15 million.
How trade helps OKC Thunder:
If the Thunder wanted to add a shooter they have two different options to add a single-player straight up for Hill who can bomb from deep. The two noted are Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier.
With Fournier on an expiring contract, this deal only works if Presti thinks he is a more valuable trade piece than Hill (I don’t think he is).
Ross is the better value play here and again the deal would depend on whether Presti would view him as a trade deadline asset who he could get more value for than Hill. His contract has the extra year and at an economical rate.
| Season | Tm | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | TOR | 73 | 17.0 | 2.5 | 6.3 | .407 | 0.9 | 2.7 | .332 | 0.6 | .714 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 6.4 |
| 2013-14 | TOR | 81 | 26.7 | 3.9 | 9.3 | .423 | 2.0 | 5.0 | .395 | 1.2 | .837 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 10.9 |
| 2014-15 | TOR | 82 | 25.5 | 3.8 | 9.2 | .410 | 1.8 | 4.8 | .372 | 0.7 | .786 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 9.8 |
| 2015-16 | TOR | 73 | 23.9 | 3.7 | 8.6 | .431 | 1.8 | 4.6 | .386 | 0.8 | .790 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 9.9 |
| 2016-17 | TOT | 78 | 25.1 | 4.2 | 9.6 | .437 | 1.8 | 5.0 | .363 | 1.0 | .831 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 11.0 |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 54 | 22.4 | 3.9 | 8.9 | .441 | 1.8 | 4.7 | .375 | 0.9 | .820 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 10.4 |
| 2016-17 | ORL | 24 | 31.2 | 4.8 | 11.1 | .431 | 1.9 | 5.6 | .341 | 1.1 | .852 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 12.5 |
| 2017-18 | ORL | 24 | 25.0 | 3.2 | 8.0 | .398 | 1.3 | 3.9 | .323 | 1.5 | .750 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 8.7 |
| 2018-19 | ORL | 81 | 26.5 | 5.4 | 12.7 | .428 | 2.7 | 7.0 | .383 | 1.8 | .875 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 15.1 |
| 2019-20 | ORL | 69 | 27.4 | 4.9 | 12.3 | .403 | 2.6 | 7.3 | .351 | 2.7 | .853 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 14.7 |
| 2020-21 | ORL | 7 | 28.0 | 7.0 | 14.1 | .495 | 3.0 | 6.4 | .467 | 4.1 | .897 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 20.7 |
| Career | 568 | 24.7 | 4.1 | 9.7 | .421 | 1.9 | 5.2 | .371 | 1.3 | .831 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 11.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/8/2021.
Ross is also the prototypical Presti type— a long lean defensively capable player. But the difference is Ross can shoot, albeit he’s a bit of a microwave scorer. His 3-point shot can be cold as ice and suddenly get blistering hot.
Check out the basketball reference shot table above which highlights how his efficiency vacillates from the perimeter year to year. The positive on that situation is Ross attempts close to seven 3-pointers per game.
So in the case of Ross Presti might even decide to keep him around to rub off on the other young guys and help them with their shooting. Either way, he’d be a positive trade asset.
Ultimately, the question is whether Sam Presti feels he can get more back for Evan Fournier or Terrence Ross over a player like George Hill. If it’s the latter then this isn’t a wise trade idea.