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NBA Rumors: George Hill, Nerlens Noel, Rudy Gay, And Blake Griffin

By Pete Camarillo
Published on: 13:02 PST, Nov 20, 2016

NBA rumors continue surfacing as the regular season is more than one-eighth completed. Some franchises are preparing for their future by retaining players, while other teams are looking to brighten their future by moving players. Check out the latest NBA rumors below.

George Hill

Utah Jazz point guard George Hill can test the open market after this season. Therefore, the Jazz are talking about an extension that would keep Hill from becoming a free agent.

Hill averages 20.4 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game on 54.1 percent shooting in 33.9 minutes per game. The 30-year-old veteran guard was brought on as an experienced presence for young guard Dante Exum. Hill’s numbers this season have been consistent with his career averages.

Thus, ESPN’s Marc Stein reports that Hill’s extension has become a priority in Utah. That could mean Hill’s contract is a priority over forward Derrick Favors.

Further, a new deal could raise Hill’s salary this year and his starting salary for a new deal next year up to more than $22.5 million, according to RealGM. The Jazz are $13 million under the salary cap.

Bleacher Reportwrites that the Jazz could not be the only team interested in Hill if he becomes a free agent. Hence, the extension could be a proactive move to get him signed for a reasonable amount.

Hill is in the final year of a five-year, $40 million contract per Spotrac.com. Stay posted for rumors surrounding Jazz players’ extensions.

Nerlens Noel

Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel has heard his name in NBA rumors. Noel, 22, had surgery on inflamed tissue in his left leg on Oct. 24. The forward had his name connected to various trade rumors while he rehabbed in Alabama.

Now, Noel returned to Philadelphia to begin team-supervised workouts per Hoops Rumors. He met with Sixers head coach Brett Brown this weekend to discuss plans for Noel’s return.

The 76ers’ coach said it was a great conversation. Brown said he is not able to lay out a perfect road map to every player, but he said Noel’s role is very clear and candid.

Outside of Hollis Thompson, no player on the Sixers’ roster has a longer history with Brown than Noel per Sporting News. Still, more recent lottery picks Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor could make it difficult for Noel to get minutes.

It remains to be seen if the 76ers will trade or play Noel. Either way, he needs to get healthy.

Rudy Gay

Another Sacramento Kings player is getting tossed around the NBA rumors mill. This time Rudy Gay could get traded.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could be interested in a big wing like Gay, per ESPN’s Zac Lowe via Bleacher Report. Lowe writes that this would allow the Thunder to slide Andre Robertson to the shooting guard spot. Meanwhile, Victor Oladipo could resume a role from the bench.

Gay’s scoring has dipped to 17.2 points per game over his last 70 contests in Sacramento. That is his lowest mark since his rookie year, per Bleacher Report. Gay, 30, also has one year left on a deal after this season. He makes $13.3 million this season per Hoops Hype. Therefore, he is one of the King’s best trade targets.

Bleacher Report points out that the Kings could be too stubborn to blow it up by trading Gay. However, Gay is a movable asset who fits into the Thunder’s lineup. Sacramento would just have to name their price. Gay could also bring a veteran presence to the Thunder. Keep an eye on more NBA rumors surround Gay.

Blake Griffin

Sometimes, no news is good news. That is the case with Clippers’ forward Blake Griffin. He had lots of trade rumors surrounding him in the offseason, but those seem to have died.

Lowe also wrote that Griffin has shown no sign of wanting to go to Oklahoma City. Per Bleacher Report, Griffin returning to the place he played college basketball is unlikely, regardless of Griffin’s play style fitting well beside Thunder guard Russell Westbrook.

Griffin averages 21.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game on 48.6 percent shooting from the floor. With those numbers, it is unlikely that the first place Clippers trade one of their best players.

[Featured Image by Kathy Kmonicek/AP Images]

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