INDIANAPOLIS -- Solomon Hill averaged 29 minutes per game last year while filling in for Paul George, who was out for all but six games last season.
Expect Hill's minutes to go down with the return of George and offseason addition of Chase Budinger. C.J. Miles is even expected to get minutes at small forward. Hill will have to fight for minutes not only this season, but for seasons to come as well.
Hill will not only have to earn his minutes this year, but he will need to prove to the Pacers organization that he is a good asset. If he fails to do this, he will most likely be traded or cut from the team.
This summer, Hill has failed to show he can help the team and be a good asset. He performed poorly in the Orlando Summer League. As a two-year veteran, his stats were very underwhelming. In three games, he averaged 4.7 points, 3.0 rebounds per game, and shot 18.2 percent from the field. He seemed to not be taking the games seriously and did not care. Hill was brought back to Indianapolis early and did not play the rest of the Summer League games.
Solomon Hill can prove himself by contributing in ways he can. He does not have to take every shot or put the team on his back. He just needs to get good looks and make smart decisions. He needs to improve to show the Pacers organization that he is working to grow into a better player. He needs to show the city of Indianapolis he is worth being on the roster. If Hill does not do these things, his career as a Pacer might be over as he may turn out to be the odd man out during the upcoming season.