The Cavaliers got their first real payout from the George Hill acquisition during Game 7 against the Pacers on Sunday, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. Hill returned from a back injury to score 11 points in 19 minutes but his health remains an issue in the upcoming series against the Raptors, Pluto continues. Hill was a pricey acquisition from the Kings, as Cleveland picked up a contract that will pay the veteran point guard $20MM this season and $19MM next year.
In other news around the Central Division:
- Interim Joe Prunty will be a candidate to retain the Bucks’ head coaching job but there will be an open, active search to fill that spot, Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. There’s no timeline on the coaching search, but the Bucks will likely make a decision prior to the free agency period in July, Velazquez adds.
- LeBron James‘ run of seven straight Finals appearances will end abruptly in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Martin Rogers of the USA Today predicts. James’ heroics won’t be enough against the top seeded Raptors, who are better, younger, fresher, and more technically sound than Cleveland, Rogers adds.
- Landing Michael Porter Jr. in the draft would be a best-case scenario for the Bulls, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times opines. Chicago wants to improve at the wing and Porter would fill that need as long as the medical reports on the Missouri freshman are positive, Cowley continues. The Bulls are not far enough along in their current rebuild to attract a top-level NBA wing player, so the draft is probably the best place to upgrade that area, according to Cowley.
George Hill has been a blessing after what we had prior to the trade deadline. His issue this season has been “when healthy”. Too bad bc he da so much to the roster.
One of these days Martin Rodgers will get one right. Keep flinging stuff on the wall. One might stick.
I agree to a point. Hill is the IMHO perfect prototypical PG for James. However that health issue is a real stick in the mud. Can’t win on the bench nursing an injury.
I would love to see the bulls get porter jr then sign nerlens Noel to a contract. They would have young talent at every position. That team would be scary in 2-3 years
Man I totally forgot about Noel. He can’t be that bad that the Sixers basically dumped him.
Zak, Porter yes, Noel, dear god no! Why is anyone still interested in adding this guy to their team? He was benched for long stretches by the Mavs, and when he did play, he wasn’t good enough to earn starters minutes. It’s time for everyone to stop drinking the Kool Aid on this guy and move on. Heck, many have suggested that the Noel deal was as bad as Rondo’s, and somehow the Sixers won the deal by moving the number 6 overall pick for Justin Anderson and a second!
Also, on the Bulls end, radical thought, but why not make a play for Kawhi. They have the assets to get him (Valentine, Portis, pick #6). They also have a couple of good young pieces in Dunn and Lauri. If they get Leonard now, does it help increase the odds that Jimmy Butler makes a return in FA at the end of next season? As of now, if they were to make this Leonard deal, they would only have $30M on the books at the end of next season, assuming they pick up their team options on Dunn and Lauri. They could resign Kawhi, add Jimmy and fill out the roster with Vets and young talent. It means also letting Lavine go this offseason, but if they can sign and trade him for any asset + expiring deal, it just helps them look more attractive to KL and JB.
The Bulls would be top 3 in the East with Jimmy and Kawhi, I don’t think Portis,Valentine, and the 6th is enough though.
Toronto is going to smoke Cleveland in 5 or 6.
Just like the Pacers were…..
I’ll tell you this much Indiana wasn’t good on the rebounds nor did they have a go to second option beyond Oladipo. The Raptors have several rebounders(Jonás,Ibaka,Poetl,Siakam) who can all get double digit rebounds. They have athletic forwards to throw at Lebron(Siakam,OG,CJ) and several scoring options in Derozan,Lowry,Miles,Jonás,Serge,Fred,Delon. There’s no way the Cavs win, they’ve got 3 point shooting,defense,rebounding, and several playmakers.Start imprinting those Lebron Sixers Jersey.
Imprinting? You don’t imprint jerseys……
And just like that, Cleveland has the home court advantage.
I’ll take two pounds of smoked carp. Thank you very much.