Indiana Pacers: Which Free Agents Should Stay?
Solomon Hill
Hill’s play over the last month of the season was a breath of fresh air for the Pacers. With C.J. Miles, Rodney Stuckey, and Ty Lawson unable to consistently provide good minutes, Hill had a breakthrough end to the season.
Unfortunately for the Pacers, bringing him back next year seems a bit unrealistic.
At the start of the season, the Pacers declined the fourth and final year of Hill’s rookie deal that would’ve cost the team $2.3 million.
Part of the stipulation that comes with declining that final year is that the team can’t offer him more than that to return to the Pacers, a figure that probably won’t be competitive with what other teams can offer the 25-year-old wing.
Larry Bird believes that declining Hill’s option was the reason for Hill’s sudden improved play.
Larry Bird on Solomon Hill's option not being picked up: I told him it's the best thing that happened, putting a foot up his butt.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 5, 2016
If declining his option was the wake up call that Hill needed, it certainly will make him a richer man for it. If Hill wanted to make the Pacers look foolish for not picking up that final year of his contract, then he accomplished that.
Keep Him or Let Him Go?
If the Pacers can somehow bring him back, they should absolutely bring him back. Don’t bank on that happening, though.
Next: J. Hill