Efforts to bolster the backcourt has ramped up for the Los Angeles Lakers over the past two days. The Lakers want to preserve cap space for next summer, but the team is still actively looking for ways to improve the team with veteran talent in this year’s free-agent class with George Hill looking like a targeted player for Los Angeles.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Lakers and Hill have mutual interest in getting a deal done:
The Lakers and Hill have a significant mutual interest on pursuing a deal that would allow Hill and No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball to play together on the floor, league sources told ESPN.
Before the news surfaced about Hill and the Lakers talking about a deal, Los Angeles had shown interest in fellow veterans Rajon Rondo and Dion Waiters. It remains to be seen whether either of those players will continue talks with the Lakers if Hill signs with the team.
Although primarily a point guard for the Utah Jazz, Hill is expected to play alongside rookie Lonzo Ball in the backcourt rather than be a backup or a starter at the one spot. Hill would likely be the starting shooting guard with Jordan Clarkson and David Nwaba potentially coming off the bench to play both positions in the backcourt.
If Hill does end up signing with the Lakers, it will be his the fourth team he’s played for during his NBA career. Hill began his career with the San Antonio Spurs before being traded to the Indiana Pacers and eventually landing with the Jazz in a three-team trade.
In 49 games for the Jazz, Hill put up some impressive numbers as the team’s starting point guard. The veteran guard averaged a career-high 16.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor and 40.3 percent from beyond the arc.