Sixers bolster backcourt with George Hill trade

The Philadelphia 76ers have struck a deal. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers have acquired OKC point guard George Hill in exchange for Tony Bradley, Terrance Ferguson, and two second-round picks. Knicks guard Austin Rivers will also head to OKC, making it a three-way deal. Ferguson will presumably go to New York.

Hill has been tied to the Sixers for a while, so this is no surprise. Also, given the minimal assets given up, Philadelphia still has the ammunition to trade for Kyle Lowry or Lonzo Ball. Either way, Hill will provide an immediate upgrade in the second unit.

George Hill, the Sixers’ newest point guard, is averaging 11.8 points and 3.1 assists while shooting 38.6 percent from deep this season.

While losing Bradley hurts mildly in the short term, he’s a non-factor when Joel Embiid is healthy. The Sixers should gladly hand third-string center duties to Paul Reed, the reigning G-League MVP. Hill, meanwhile, will take up minutes in the backcourt, cutting into minutes that would normally go to Shake Milton, Furkan Korkmaz, or Matisse Thybulle.

Hill has long been a steady hand from 3-point range, and his veteran leadership is no doubt appreciated in the locker room. The Sixers have reshaped the culture this season, and Hill is another strong voice in the mix. He has also contributed to contenders in the recent past, finishing top-five in Sixth Man of the Year voting with Milwaukee last season.

Both a competent facilitator and a solid on-ball defender, Hill will have no trouble finding minutes and carving out his niche in Philadelphia. Even if this is Philadelphia’s only “big” move, Hill does improve their odds in the postseason. The Sixers’ bench has needed renovations.

That said, the Sixers will not have Hill immediately available. He only recently got out of a cast after injuring his wrist earlier this season. With OKC, his timeline for a return was indefinite. We will see what happens once he arrives in Philadelphia.

This is Daryl Morey’s first deadline move as the Sixers’ lead decision-maker. The first of many.

Update: The Sixers have also acquired Iggy Brazdeikis, a former Knicks second-round pick, as part of the trade.