Cavaliers Trade Rumors: George Hill Deal Was 'Close to Done' About 2 Weeks Ago

A trade to send the Sacramento Kings' George Hill to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert was reportedly "close to done" about two weeks ago but has yet to be completed.

Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reported the news Sunday, noting Derrick Rose could be included.

It's unclear why the trade has not been made, but Jones' report seemed to indicate the Kings are balking at the terms. Sacramento is looking for a deal that "make[s] sense as part of the grand plan to maintain financial flexibility for the future."

The Kings could save about $8 million on their 2018-19 books by agreeing to send Hill to the Cavs for Frye and Shumpert.

Hill has been in the rotation for the Kings' last four games after he sat out three of the previous four amid the trade rumors. Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reported Monday that Frye and Shumpert were told two weeks ago they were likely going to be traded.

The Cavaliers have been looking to bolster their rotation amid a midseason swoon, which arguably reached its nadir with Saturday's 120-88 loss to the Houston Rockets on national television. The Cavs are 30-21 and just a half game ahead of the Washington Wizards for the third spot in the Eastern Conference.

Frye may be too important to the Cleveland rotation for the team to move him for a player like Hill. The big man has played double-digit minutes in each of the last five games and will continue to take on an increased role with Kevin Love out because of a broken hand.

Frye's expiring contract would also lock in the financial savings for Sacramento. The Cavaliers don't have any other pieces they can afford to move without the Kings having to make a financial commitment beyond this season.