Indiana Pacers small forward Solomon Hill (L) defends against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James during a regular season game in March. (Photo : Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers third-year veteran Solomon Hill is reportedly on the trading block and the New Orleans Pelicans are said to be interested in dealing for the athletic 6-foot-7 small forward.
ESPN reported that "the Pacers have made forward Solomon Hill available in the trade market" even as he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer "after the Pacers declined his team option for 2016-17".
It was also speculated that one of the teams that are setting its sights on Hill is the New Orleans Pelicans.
Fox Sports noted that Indiana placed the 24-year-old former Arizona standout in the trading block because "they no longer have room for him in the rotation".
With C.J. Miles playing well as the team's starter at the no. 3 spot and Chase Budinger providing main backup minutes, Hill had become a third option at his most effective position on the floor.
Furthermore, Frank Vogel's recent inclination to put superstar Paul George back to his original spot in most scenarios during a game had buried Hill as fourth in the Pacers' small forward pecking order, making him virtually dispensable.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is reportedly short on small forwards as Quincy Pondexter is still sidelined by a knee injury and there is still no timetable of his possible return.
Hill is said to be a "slight upgrade" to what is existing over at New Orleans and could contribute a lot to Alvin Gentry's fledgling ball club.
However, the Times-Picayune indicated that "the Pelicans have done nothing more than inquire about Hill" and it seems like head coach Gentry is not interested in changing his roster at this time of the season.
"I've got enough problems coaching the team," said the 61-year-old coach when asked about the possibility of trading for Hill. "We got really competent guys with Dell (Demps) and his whole group that handle all of the personnel part of it."
