Ranking every player on the Sixers roster — 7. George Hill
The Sixers dished out Tony Bradley, Terrance Ferguson, and three second-round picks to acquire George Hill at the trade deadline. The veteran has gotten off to a slow start offensively, but he still brings a skill set of paramount importance to the second unit, and he will be important to any sort of deep playoff run.
Hill has been around the block a few times. Getting a productive two-way guard with his experience was clearly a priority for Daryl Morey and the front office. Hill does not have the same juice he once did in Indiana, for example, but he’s a pesky on-ball defender and measured playmaker who can smoothly run the second-unit offense.
There’s also a good chance Hill will close his share of games in the postseason. He’s a career 38.4 percent shooting from 3-point range, and his shot creation in the halfcourt is a dynamic the starting five lacks. Hill can play off of Embiid and Simmons without sacrificing his impact as a ball-mover and all-around offensive benefactor.
While we have yet to see Hill at full strength in Philadelphia, this postseason will provide ample opportunity for him to earn his $12 million and justify three second-round picks. And, if not, there’s a good chance he will be back with the team next season. Hill finished top-five in Sixth Man of the Year voting just last season. Expect him to come up big in the playoffs.
— Christopher Kline