With the NBA Trade deadline around the corner, teams all over the league are making significant moves to strengthen their rosters. The New Orleans Pelicans have been one among the many teams who have been struggling to acquire solid role players amidst their financial crunch, looking at other cost-effective options to place alongside their superstars, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
One such name is Malcolm Hill who has been working hard and fighting valiantly for an NBA return. The Pelicans have provided him with an opportunity in the form of a short-term contract.
New Orleans Pelicans secure G League star Malcolm Hill on 10-day contract
Just days after placing one of their best role players on the market, the New Orleans Pelicans acted swiftly by signing G-League star Malcolm Hill to replenish the Pels’ roster.
Malcolm Hill is no stranger to the NBA. The player made his NBA debut in 2021 with the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Chicago Bulls. In over 20 games played for the Bulls, Hill averaged 2.9 points, 0.3 assists, and 1.5 rebounds per game, contributing to the team with his agile and reactive defending.
Following his tenure with the Bulls, he was taken in by the affiliate team of the New Orleans Pelicans, the Birmingham Squadron. Here, the player took the opportunity to develop and improved his game flawlessly, averaging a mammoth 25.6 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Squadron in the last 10 games.
Recognizing his commitment to growth and the need for a cost-effective player, the Pelicans decided to sign Malcolm Hill, the G-League player, to a 10-day contract. Breaking the news, senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski stated, “The New Orleans Pelicans are signing G League forward Malcolm Hill on a 10-day contract, sources tell ESPN. Hill has averaged 25.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in his past 10 games for the Pels’ affiliate in Birmingham.”
In short, the signing of Malcolm Hill is a very sound move from the Pelicans who are in dire need of consistent role players to come off the bench and put in flawless stints of basketball.
Pelicans’ strategic move – signing Malcolm Hill on a short term basis
The New Orleans Pelicans have done excellent business in signing Malcolm Hill from their G-League affiliate team, the Birmingham Squadron. By signing the player to a minimum 10-day contract, the team explores the option of experimenting the player’s integration with their current setup before committing completely and giving the player a guaranteed contract. A test drive to be precise.
The signing of Hill comes days after the trade stance of young star, Herb Jones who the Pelicans are unable to afford due to their expensive contracts with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. In order to relieve their financial situation, the team decided to place Jones on the trade market. The signing of Malcolm Hill comes at a very handy time for the team who have been inconsistent over the last ten games with a 6-4 record.
Hill will hope to make full use of the short opportunity given to him by the Pelicans and the team will hope for effortless performances from the player during his time with the team.
What are your thoughts on the Pelicans signing Malcolm Hill to a ten-day contract? Do you think the Pelicans are right in their stance of Herb Jones? Will the Pelicans make major strides this season? We are eager to know your thoughts and opinions on this topic, so feel free to comment below.
