Lakers free agent rumors: George Hill could come to mentor Lonzo Ball for a year

George Hill and the Los Angeles Lakers have been discussing a potential one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Lakers see Hill as a veteran mentor for second overall pick Lonzo Ball, while the point guard market for Hill has fallen apart over the past few days.

Hill averaged a career-high 16.9 points per game last season, but the point guard only played 49 games for the Jazz while dealing with a troublesome toe injury. After playing Game 1 in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Warriors, Hill missed the Jazz’s final three games of the season, all losses.

When Utah traded for Ricky Rubio right before free agency began, it was a signal that they wouldn’t attempt to re-sign Hill. While the point guard market was seen as a strong one just a month ago, several teams who needed guards filled their needs in the draft or via trade (Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Sacramento, and Dallas).

Let’s start with the fit. The 6’3 Hill and 6’6 Ball would actually pair together really well in a hypothetical backcourt, especially since both can play off the ball. Hill shot over 40 percent on three-pointers for the second straight season, while Ball shot a large number of his threes at NBA range or further last season. Ball has the size to guard shooting guards, so even though both players are true point guards, they should have no problem sharing the ball.

Last season, the Lakers were incredibly young. Their veterans were players like Luol Deng, Metta World Peace, and Nick Young, all experienced players but none who filled major roles on the team. Adding Hill to a starting five that is otherwise made up of young players would be good for all their prospects, especially Ball.

Still, Los Angeles probably wouldn’t be interested if Hill wasn’t interested in a short-term deal. The Lakers are conserving their cap space so they could potentially sign Paul George and maybe even LeBron James in 2018, and Hill’s one-year deal gives them a stopgap while preserving that space.

Hill surely came into the summer wanting a long-term deal at or near the max, but the market dried up too quickly. Dallas and Philadelphia are sticking with young players, New Orleans re-signed Jrue Holiday, Toronto retained Kyle Lowry, and the Clippers aren’t pursuing a Chris Paul replacement.

There’s no doubt Hill has value, but between his injuries and the lack of money out there for him, a long-term deal isn’t happening this summer. One year in Los Angeles will boost his exposure, hopefully prove his injuries are a problem, and set him up for another pay day next year rather than taking a discount for someone now.

It’s not the ideal scenario, but it’s probably the best one Hill has left to him.