The NBA is a business and one that can be very cutthroat at times. Upon entering the league, players know that nothing is guaranteed, and your team will move you if it suits their best interests. George Hill, a former guard for the Indiana Pacers, had this happen first-hand after his hometown team sent him off to the Utah Jazz.
Hill was traded to the Jazz back in June in a deal that sent Jeff Teague to Indiana and, according to Ryan Phillips of The Big Lead, the organization didn’t tell Hill in person. Larry Bird, the stern president of the Pacers, left the Indiana native a voicemail that said nothing but, “we had to trade you to Utah,” while Hill was working out.
After spending the last five seasons with the Pacers, their former floor general had this to say about the situation:
“It came as a surprise. Last time I checked, I was supposed to retire from Indiana. Very surprising, but I know this is a business and anything can happen. So, I’m not upset about it. I think I’m in a great situation here. I’m here, somewhere where I feel wanted right now.”
The 30-year-old averaged 12.3 points and 3.9 assists per game in 319 career games with the Pacers.
Data courtesy of Basketball-Reference
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