The Indiana Pacers finally had their winning streak snapped on Thursday night at six games as they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers but they have still won nine of their last 11 games and have been maybe the biggest pleasant surprise in the NBA this season. The biggest reason for the Pacers' success right now is Paul George as he has gotten back into All-Star form after the horrific injury but overall the Pacers are loaded on the wings. Because Indiana is so deep on the wings Solomon Hill has been out of the rotation and is reportedly on the trading block, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.
Hill was the Pacers first round pick, 23rd overall, back in 2013 out of the University of Arizona and didn't get much playing time as a rookie but last season with George missing most of the year Hill played a prominent role. The Pacers weren't a very good team last season and didn't make the playoffs but Hill played in all 82 games and started 78 of them despite the fact that he played just OK. After last season the Pacers declined Hill's 2016-17 option meaning that he will become a free agent at the end of this season.
Hill averaged 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 29 minutes per game last season while shooting 40 percent from the field and 33 percent from three. This year Hill has only gotten into seven games and has played a total of 44 minutes due to the depth Indiana now has on the wings with George back and having signed Monta Ellis among others this offseason.
Hill's value isn't all that high right now so the Pacers likely wouldn't get much in return for him but he should garner some sort of interest. Despite the fact that Hill will be a free agent after this season he is just 24 years old, was a first round talent just two years ago and at 6 foot-7 has the ability to do some good things on the floor. Hill's one extended chance to prove that he deserves a role in the NBA didn't go well particularly on offense, but he was a plus defender last season and there will likely be some team out there willing to take a shot on him.
