Indiana Pacers: Solomon Hill Now On the Trading Block

The Indiana Pacers are reportedly making 2013 First-Round Pick Solomon Hill available in trade talks.

The Pacers’ Solomon Hill started 78 games last season in place of the injured Paul George. It appears that the small forward has quickly fallen from grace since then in the Circle City. Solomon Hill was the 23rd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

As previously stated, Hill started 78 of the Indiana Pacers 82 games last season averaging 15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4 rebounds per game. This season, Solomon Hill has played in only seven of the Pacers 18 games without a single start. ESPN’s Marc Stein first reported the Indiana Pacers were shopping the third-year wing.

The first signs rift formed during their NBA Summer League down in Orlando, FL. I wrote on his utterly disappointing lack of production back in July in our Pacers Summer League Review.

Solomon “Solo” Hill was the most experienced veteran on the Pacers summer league roster. Admittedly, he volunteered to join the team in Orlando to further develop his game. After two years in the NBA – including 78 starts last season – for the Indiana Pacers it was expected that Solo would dominate competition and perform as a leader on the team. In three games averaging 26.7 minutes, Hill averaged only 4.7 points and 3 rebounds per game. Perhaps he intended to help facilitate the offense and get others involved. If so, that is commendable, but such low numbers do not indicate much progression on his part heading into his third NBA season.

[recentposts align=”right” thiscategory=”yes”]Perhaps Larry Bird believes the roster too confusing for fans and commentators with three Hills on the roster. Or… it could be that he simply no longer fits the Indiana Pacers new scheme. The other two Hills, George Hill and Jordan Hill are contributing at an exponentially higher level than Solomon Hill.

George Hill is averaging 12.9 points and 3.6 assists per game. Ex-Laker Jordan Hill has been a surprise for the Indiana Pacers at power forward averaging 9.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Compare that to Solomon Hill, who has only produced a sum total of 11 points in seven games. Needless to say, he has fallen out of favor.

Solomon Hill appeared to have a bright future with the Indiana Pacers but could not work himself back into the rotation after the roster overhaul in the summer.

Perhaps all that is needed to resuscitate his career is a new locale. At the very least, the news of him being offered as trade bait could serve as a wake-up call for Hill. Either way, he’s on the block and for the moment, without any takers.

[nextpost teaser=”Hoosiers Embarrassed by Duke” url=”https://inkonindy.com/2015/12/03/indiana-hoosiers-embarrassed-by-duke-94-74/”]

As always, be sure to check back for more Indiana Pacers coverage here at Ink on Indy! Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook; you can even join our Google Community to discuss your thoughts on all our Indiana teams!