NBA Trade Grades: Cavaliers acquire Rodney Hood, George Hill in 3-team trade
Sacramento Kings
For the Sacramento Kings, the incentive here is simple: Getting out of the remaining two years on George Hill’s contract. Even though that last year was only guaranteed for $1 million in 2019-20, he was clearly not working out in Sac-Town, and the team needed to free up more minutes for De’Aaron Fox anyway.
The Kings have to take on Iman Shumpert, who would be wise to exercise his $11 million player option for 2018-19, but even if he opts in, they’ll get Joe Johnson’s $10.5 million expiring contract off the books this summer and pocket an extra second round draft pick in the process.
According to James Ham of NBC Sports California, Sacramento will also get $3.5 million in cash.
According to a source, Kings receive Iman Shumpert, Joe Johnson, Miami's 2020 second round pick and $3+ million in cash in the deal.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) February 8, 2018
One could find fault in the Kings for signing Hill to a three-year, $57 million contract in the first place, but this is a decent (albeit rapid) pivot from that deal. Fingers will be crossed that Shumpert isn’t interested in opting in, but even if he does…hey, extra spending money and a 2020 second round pick!
Grade: B-