Solomon Hill was forced into the starting lineup last season for the Indiana Pacers due to all of their injuries, but just one year later the team has decided that they won't pick up their 2013 first-round pick's contract option for next season.
According to a report from Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports, the Pacers have decided not to pick up Hill's option. More than likely this news means that Larry Bird and the team will move forward without Hill next offseason. He simply hasn't developed like the Pacers were hoping and this news was expected by most.
Last season with the Pacers in a starting role, Hill didn't impress all that much. He was awful on the offensive side of the basketball and was nothing more than solid defensively. There are plenty of other players that the Pacers would like to target in free agency next year and letting him go opens up more room in free agency.
Looking at what kind of cap space the Pacers could have next year, there are rumblings that they will have up to around $30 million to spend when free agency opens up.
Hill ended up averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season in his bigger role. Those numbers aren't going to get the job done as a starter and it opened Bird's eyes about the player that he once thought could be a good piece for the Pacers long-term.
At 24 years old, Hill still has plenty of basketball left to play in his career and it won't take too terribly long for him to get with a new team. There are plenty of teams in the market for cheap small forward bench options, which is the group that Hill will fall into.
All of that being said, it appears that his time with the Pacers has come to a close after two disappointing seasons and what appears to be the start of a third one.
© 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
