Age: 36
Years Pro: 15
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Key Stats: Appeared in 11 games and started one after being traded to Indiana from Milwaukee on Feb. 7. Averaged 5.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Shot 19-for-34 (55.9 percent) from the field and 11-for-21 (52.4 percent) from 3-point range. Averaged 5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 35 games with the Bucks prior to the trade.
When George Hill was drafted in 2008 by the San Antonio Spurs and even early when his career when he was helping lead his hometown Pacers to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals, he never imagined how long he might stick around in the NBA.
"As a city kid coming from Indianapolis on 34th Street, I didn't know how many years I was going to be here," Hill said on April 10, one day after wrapping up his 15th NBA season. "Let alone not just one (year), but but to be finishing 15 now, it's been a blessing...I never thought I would get past a rookie deal. Coming from where I came from here, you don't see it often where guys are successful."
The kid who starred at Broad Ripple High School and IUPUI is now one of the league's elder statesmen. He has transitioned into a new phase of his career in recent seasons, embracing a different role that he would love to stay in for several more years.
Hill's second stint with the Pacers began on Feb. 7, when he was traded to Indiana from Milwaukee along with Jordan Nwora, Serge Ibaka, and a second round pick. The deal took Hill, who has played in 144 career playoff games but never won an NBA title, away from a team with championship aspirations.
Out of respect for Hill, the Pacers' brass presented him with two options. If he wanted, Indiana would buy out Hill's contract and allow him to pursue an opportunity to sign with a contender. Or, he could stay on with his hometown team and help mentor the Blue & Gold's young roster.
Hill didn't hesitate to choose the latter, calling it "a dream come true" to come back to the franchise he grew up rooting for and helped lead to incredible heights over five seasons from 2011-16.
The "Hometown Hero" was welcomed back with open arms by Pacers fans, who gave him a standing ovation when he checked in for his first game back with the Blue & Gold at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Feb. 13 against Utah.
Hill would play 10 minutes in that game, then only see the floor in one other game over the next month. He knew coming in that the Pacers were developing their young players and there weren't a ton of minutes for him. But Hill remained very engaged despite receiving sparse playing time.
He quickly embraced a leadership role. It was a natural fit for Hill giving his age and tenure in the league (upon his arrival, Hill supplanted James Johnson as the oldest and longest-tenured player on the roster, distinctions Johnson had held by a wide margin).
Over the final two months of the season, Hill contributed his voice in a lot of ways. He helped Nwora transition after being traded for the first time in his young career. He shared his perspective with Indiana's young guards, particularly rookie point guard Andrew Nembhard. He backed up the existing lead voices in the locker room, All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and center Myles Turner (who had originally been Hill's teammate with the Pacers during Turner's rookie season).
During games, Hill was almost like an extra coach on the bench, often speaking up in huddles to offer insight or encouragement.
"I think it's fun," he said of his role over the final two months. "It's fun being there for some of the young guys and talking and telling stories of the good and the bad that I've been through so that they don't make those mistakes. And just trying to be the best mentor/big brother you can possibly be and own it."
Hill did eventually get some chances to play, particularly when Haliburton dealt with injuries over the final month of the season, and he showed some flashes of the player that he was in first stint in his hometown.
In the two games that Hill received his most playing time, he was extremely productive, helping lead the Pacers to impressive road wins.
He tallied 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting (3-of-4 from 3-point range) in 23 minutes in his return to Milwaukee on March 16, as Indiana knocked off the Bucks on the road for the first time in five years.
Then, on the final day of the season, Hill went 5-for-6 from 3-point range and finished with 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes to lead the Pacers to a win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The next day, Hill told reporters at the Ascension St. Vincent Center that he would love to stick around in the league for several more seasons, preferably in Indiana if the Pacers will have them.
Though he will turn 37 on May 4, Hill said he wants to emulate what Udonis Haslem has done in Miami. Haslem is in his 20th season at age 43 and has remained on the Heat's roster over the last several seasons because of his leadership qualities.
"I think I still have a little gas left in the tank if need be," Hill said. "But to pull off a Udonis-type role for many years now and try to be that guy that played the most years in they league with my hometown team I think would be an honor. It would be something that's awesome, but that's not in my control."
Hill is one of just three free agents on the Pacers' 15-man roster entering this summer. Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said in his postseason press conference that the organization has great respect for Hill and would potentially be open to bringing him back next season, but whether that's a possibility will hinge on how the draft and free agency unfold.
Regardless of what happens in the future, George Hill's return to the Pacers this season was another special chapter in a special career. Pretty good for the kid from 34th Street, who now has 15 years in the league...and counting.
George Hill 2023 Exit Interview
2023 Pacers.com Player Review Schedule
April 17: Tyrese Haliburton
April 18: Myles Turner
April 19: Andrew Nembhard
April 20: Jordan Nwora
April 21: Aaron Nesmith
April 22: Isaiah Jackson
April 23: James Johnson
April 24: Bennedict Mathurin
April 25: T.J. McConnell
April 26: Oshae Brissett
April 27: Chris Duarte
April 28: Jalen Smith
April 29: Gabe York
April 30: Kendall Brown
May 1: George Hill
May 2: Daniel Theis
May 3: Buddy Hield