Indiana Pacers: Pacers Re-Sign Restricted Free Agent George Hill

According to a report in the IndyStar, the Indiana Pacers and restricted free agent George Hill have agreed to a five-year deal that will keep him in Indiana. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Hill played the role of sixth man for the Pacers last year and started when starting point guard Darren Collison was injured. Hill was acquired from the San Antonio Spurs on draft day last year for the 15th overall pick, Kawhi Leonard.

The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last year and pushed the eventual champion Miami Heat to six games. Despite losing Game 1 of the series, the Pacers took the next two games after Heat Forward Chris Bosh went down with an abdominal injury.

The Pacers look to sustain that level of production and become a perennial Eastern Conference contender with a young nucleus of Collison, wings Paul George and Danny Granger and forward David West.

Yesterday, the Portland Trail Blazers offered Roy Hibbert, the Pacers starting center, a maximum contract that will pay him $58 million over four years. Per NBA rules under the new collective bargaining agreement, Indiana has to either match the offer or let Hibbert walk.

Hill is a key cog of the Indiana Pacers rotation and provides quality bench scoring. Last season, he averaged 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 25.5 minutes per game.

Indiana will look to keep its current core intact while still staying fiscally flexible. Re-signing Hill was a step in the right direction.