Solomon Hill: Pelicans Best Wing Option

Solomon Hill was signed from Indiana and through his first four years his trajectory trended steadily upward. Hill was one of the best NBA wing defenders his first year in New Orleans, even chipping in seven points a game. The Pelicans were in dire need of another wing player against Golden State. Many options have been thrown about in offseason wish lists. The Pelicans, and Dell Demps, best option is to trust their internal talent.

The first season with Solomon Hill lived up to salary expectations. He played in 80 games and started in 72 of them. He averaged about seven points on over 42% shooting from the field and almost 35% from beyond the arc. At 27, Hill should be entering his prime. He was thrust into the tensest minutes of the Pelicans season and the rust was obvious.

In 261 career games Hill has averaged 6.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assist. His shooting has been respectable, averaging 33.1% from deep and 46.6 FG%. This is including a terrible 12 games with the Pelicans this year where he shot below 20 percent from 3-point range and 50 percent from the free throw line. He is still over 80% FT for his career including this year.

Hill can average nine points, five rebounds and two assist per game. At that rate of production, and considering chemistry, he would be the Pelicans best option when examining the cost. Would saving a million be worth cutting bait too early? Would saving four million? That’s money that could go to Rajon Rondo’s raise and still net a Rudy Gay at 8 million, but that’s about the best option.

Trevor Ariza or Kyle Korver might be convinced to jump to a different contender. The Thunder, Cavs, and Bucks have some nice parts if any of those teams have stars leave town. Is Otto Porter so much of an upgrade over Hill that it is worth losing Hill and DeMarcus Cousins to shuffle the roster? It is very doubtful.

Hill led the team in games played that year before the offseason hamstring tear. It appears he is the best fit, most efficient, feasibly and most financially responsible option going forward unless LeBron James wants to eat beignets for a season or two. Hill at an above average 3-point percentage would be like adding a new player to the current iteration of the Pelicans. Let us also not forget, he has yet to play healthy with Rondo, Cousins, Holiday and Davis.

Options:

First option is stick with Hill. Second option is trade for a comparable player with a matching salary. The third is to package him to get a far better player without weakening the core that showed so much potential in the playoffs.

Hill went wild in Game three versus the Warriors. Three “3’s” in the opening quarter were his season high for 3’s made in a game. There is merit to a healthy Hill being the answer to at least taking the Warriors to a Game seven a la the Rockets. Both the Pelicans and Rockets had to face the Warriors with a star on the bench. Getting everyone healthy before making rash changes is a wise decision.

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For those wanting change, and to swing for the fences, Hill could be part of a sign and trade to acquire Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. Since it’s been mentioned, even LeBron for Hill and parts could happen if Lebron opts in and loves Café du Monde. Leonard seemingly has issues with San Antonio. George can’t fit with Russell Westbrook. Hill needs the ball less and can do an adequate job filling in for both players in the Spurs and Thunder styles of play.

However, there likely will be draft picks galore being emptied from the Pelicans future. E’twaun Moore and Nikola Mirotic might have to be traded as well. To get a star, it may be worth the hassle. To move a bunch of parts just to wind up with a comparable salary on the books would be a waste.

Speaking of comparables, there are only so many above average wings making less than 14 million in today’s NBA. Wilson Chandler has two years, 24 million and a decent offensive game. Rudy Gay, Trevor Ariza or Kyle Korver might jump from one contender to NOLA but would all likely want a raise over what Hill makes now.

Perhaps Khris Middleton or DeMarre Carroll could be acquired, though it is doubtful they alone get the Pelicans into the conference finals any more than Hill could.  Tobias Harris or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could provide some length and athleticism, but neither has the amount of quality defensive tape available to justify a move based on health alone.

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Dell Demps is coming to an intersection that will define Pelicans eras no matter the end result. His reign in New Orleans has been tenuous at best. His trades for Mirotic and Cousins have saved his job and earned him an extension. The next two offseason’s before Davis can sign for huge dollars are crucial. Roster decision will determine if Anthony Davis wins a championship more than individual talent. Davis is already a top-five player in the NBA.

Demps needs to find a way to put five competent guys who can guard multiple positions and hit open shots on a roster with Davis. His first era with Ryan Anderson and Tyreke Evans did not work. He should not second guess his decision to sign Hill to that four-year contract. It is a bad look.

Whether Cousins stays or goes, he will miss the start of the season. A healthy Hill to start next year would be invaluable as the Pelicans will fully embrace the playoff Pelican style of play. There are plenty of expendable parts that did not merit playoff minutes this year. Solomon Hill was not one of them. Demps should only look to shed expendable parts, not shake the core.

Next: The DeMarcus Cousins Free Agent Conundrum

Demps has proven adept at scrounging Europe and the G-League for guys that can get the Pelicans through a regular season slog. The playoffs with Davis should always be the priority. Keeping Hill helps Demps culture become more ingrained. It is proving to be a winning culture.