Sixers rumors: Inquires made into George Hill, Delon Wright

The Sixers reportedly want a point guard; George Hill and Delon Wright are on the radar.

The Philadelphia 76ers are, expectedly, in the market for a point guard. According to Jason Dumas of Bleacher Report, OKC’s George Hill and Detroit’s Delon Wright are two names the Sixers have inquired about. Both would fill a clear need in the second unit.

Hill has only appeared in 14 games this season due to injury, but he has started all 14 appearances for the Thunder. A savvy veteran who has contributed to contenders very recently, Hill can efficiently facilitate the offense while also playing off-ball next to heliocentric stars. Most recently, Hill has effectively paired with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee and LeBron James in Cleveland. He is averaging 11.8 points and 3.1 assists on .508/.386/.840 shooting splits.

Wright, who at 28 is six years younger than Hill, has spent his season in Detroit’s starting five. The Pistons, much like the Thunder, are not contending and would likely part with veteran talent in exchange for draft compensation. He is averaging 10.4 points and 4.9 assists on .452/.364/.779 shooting splits.

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The Sixers would need to offer a package of second-round picks for either player, if I had to venture a guess.

Both players are on similar contracts. Hill is making $9.6 million, with only $1.25 million guaranteed for next season. Wright is making a clean $9 million this season, but has his full contract — $8.5 million — guaranteed for next season. Given his age and contract situation, Hill would likely fetch a slightly lower price. Given the Sixers’ general lack of cap space, Wright’s extra year (and younger legs) may be viewed as a positive.

The cleaner fit is Hill, who not only has experience next to ball-dominant stars, but is a more efficient 3-point shooter. That said, Wright can hit his share of 3s and probably gives you more on-ball punch, something the Sixers have desperately lacked ever since Joel Embiid arrived. Neither moves the needle far in the broader context of championship contention, but the Sixers need a better bench. Both Hill and Wright would help.

It’s becoming clearer and clearer that Tyrese Maxey cannot contribute significantly to a title run this season. Furkan Korkmaz is generally uneven, Mike Scott is a no-go in my book, and bringing more offensive optionality to the second unit is an undeniable positive. Both Hill and Wright would increase the range of offensively competent lineups in Rivers’ arsenal.

Expect to hear more names in the rumor mill as the March trade deadline approaches — Daryl Morey is not one to sit on his hands.