NBA trade rumors: Proposals for Cleveland Cavaliers’ top targets

George Hill, Sacramento Kings

On the surface, George Hill seems like a questionable addition for the Cavaliers. The main problem is that the veteran guard is due $19 million on average over the next three seasons (including the current one). That’s a lot of long-term money to take on for a team already in the luxury tax.

Still, seeing as it has already shown significant interest, Cleveland must see Hill as the potential “missing piece” to the puzzle. So this is what I saw as the best opportunity for them to acquire him.

Luckily for them, the Sacramento Kings don’t have significant bargaining power. Hill is unhappy, is making a lot of money and has already been shopped. The Cavaliers can leverage all of those things to pry him away from Sacramento without having to part with too many of their own assets.

So in my proposed situation, they send J.R. Smith, Channing Frye and their own 2018 first round pick to the Kings for Hill. Smith is having a terrible season, so that’s no big loss. Frye is a quality piece off the bench, and provides added value as an expiring contract. While we’ve seen in recent years that late first round picks can’t be ignored, it’s a piece the Cavaliers can live without.

Smith is cheaper than Hill, Frye will be off the books next year and the Kings can use all of the additional draft assets they can get. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers get a player who fits perfectly as an outstanding two-way talent who can play either guard spot.