Despite the recent addition of highly touted rookie Collin Sexton, it appears that Cleveland Cavaliers veteran George Hill has a chance keep the starting job for the upcoming season. It seems that the Cavs may not be quite ready to hand over the keys to their 19-year-old point guard of the future.
According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, Hill may prove to be a very important piece to a rebuilding Cavs side:
Hill is 32 and expensive, and, initially, deemed by some to be expendable with the drafting of point guard Collin Sexton,” writes Vardon. “The Cavs apparently don’t view it that way… There is a chance Hill could remain the starting point guard, or could otherwise play 20 minutes a game.
In the wake of LeBron James’ summer departure, the Cavs are not expected to be very competitive this year. This presents an excellent opportunity for Sexton, who was drafted eighth overall by the team last June. The relative lack of pressure to win games would provide the former Alabama standout with a considerable margin for error, thereby theoretically speeding up his development process.
Nonetheless, this does not appear to be the team’s chosen plan of action. Apparently, the Cavs would prefer to bring Sexton along slowly.
After Hill’s midseason arrival last year via three-team trade involving the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz, the 6-foot-3 guard handily made the starting point guard spot his own. In 24 starts for the Cavs last season, Hill averaged 9.4 points, 1.1 3-pointers, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 turnovers in 27.9 minutes per contest.