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Milwaukee Bucks: George Hill Set to Return to Milwaukee

By Harrison Carter

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives the ball during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at the Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives the ball during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at the Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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As the Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2021 offseason, it was clear that the backup point guard position was a spot that desperately needed to be filled. The Bucks have appeared to find their answer.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Tuesday night that when veteran point guard George Hill clears the waivers, he intends to sign with the Bucks. Hill was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers as he had a partial guarantee on next year’s contract. Waiving Hill allowed the 76ers to use the full MLE (Mid-Level Exception).

Hill, now 35, is no stranger to the Bucks as he played in Milwaukee for part of the 2018-2019 season and all of the 2019-2020 season. Hill’s quality play in his first year with Milwaukee netted him a three-year, $29 million extension in the summer of 2019.

He continued his quality play in the 2019-2020 season as he averaged 9.4 points per game in 21.5 minutes per game. Those 9.4 points were ultra-efficient, as he shot 51.6 percent from the field and a league-high 46 percent from three.

The next off-season, Hill’s contract had to be included in the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade for Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. Hill never played for New Orleans and was instead shipped to Oklahoma City and was then a deadline acquisition for the 76ers. His journey that has included eight different teams looks to be returning to Milwaukee.

The details on what contract Hill will receive have not come out yet, but it would be shocking if he received anything other than the veteran’s minimum, giving that he did not play very well for Philadelphia down the stretch of the season or in the playoffs. If Hill is to receive the veteran’s minimum, the Bucks still have the Tax Payers Mid-Level Exception to use on a roster slot to help improve the team (perhaps Victor Oladipo?).

Although Hill did struggle late in the season for the 76ers, gaining a serviceable backup point guard is incredibly important for the Bucks. When Holiday needed a breather in the playoffs, it was Jeff Teague who came in until Holiday was ready to come back onto the floor, and the results were not pretty in those Teague minutes.

In the 120 minutes Teague played in the playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks offensive rating was -15.7 when compared to their opponent’s offensive rating. In the 995 minutes that Teague sat in the playoffs, the Bucks offensive rating was +7.7 in comparison.

Altogether, Hill provides veteran leadership and will play a pivotal role in the Bucks’ second unit. Although he may not be the best playmaker, he is certainly capable of running an offense and controlling the ball. His lights-out shooting and serviceable defense will certainly be a welcome addition. Hill will play for a team and a system he has shown he can succeed in.

What do you think of the addition of George Hill?

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