Report: Bucks To Waive George Hill

It begins. In a shock to only casual basketball fans, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported today that the Milwaukee Bucks would cut George Hill from their roster.

Today is June 28; by June 30, the Bucks were required to waive Hill if they wanted to avoid paying the entirety of his 2019-20 salary (which was $18 million). Because of this move, whenever it actually goes through officially, Hill will instead be due only $1 million from Milwaukee, significantly reducing the team’s salary obligation and creating avenues to conjure up real cap space. We got into more detail on this earlier today, as well as the constant conversation over the past few weeks.

Hill, 33, was a crucial part of the Bucks’ postseason run, providing steady defense and crafty offense behind Eric Bledsoe and while Malcolm Brogdon continued working his way back from injury. With Sterling Brown and Pat Connaughton as the only other available players who could suit up at shooting guard, Hill’s experience kept the Bucks afloat when they needed it most...and his timely three-point shooting wasn’t too shabby either.

Both sides have been reported as interested in maintaining the relationship; Hill wants to compete for a ring and the Bucks would love to keep him around on a more friendly contract. Hill’s non-guaranteed final year was the result of a 3 year/$57M deal from the Sacramento Kings, who moved him to the Cleveland Cavaliers two seasons ago, who moved him to Milwaukee in exchange for Matthew Dellavedova and John Henson.

NBA free agency starts in just over 48 hours; George Hill will find a market for his services, and we’re hoping that he’s willing to forgo a larger salary in order to come back to Milwaukee.