George Hill trade, Sacramento Kings, NBA Trade News
Jan 22, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Sacramento Kings guard George Hill (3) passes the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward center Frank Kaminsky (44) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. USA TODAY Sports / Sam Sharpe

Talks have stalled between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings over a potential George Hill trade, according to a new report. The teams were on the verge of agreeing to a trade that would have sent Hill to Cleveland in exchange for Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye's expiring contract.

However, the trade fell through after the Cavs front office asked Hill to accept a buyout for the 2018-19 NBA season. Hill, who joined the Kings on a three-year, US$57 million (AU$70 million) contract last July, is owed US$19 million (AU$23 million) next season. Hill is guaranteed only US$1 million (AU$1.23 million) out of the US$18 million (AU$22 million) he's owed on the final year of the contract (2019-20 season).

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Cavs want Hill to accept a buyout at the end of the season, primarily for luxury tax relief. "George Hill, they didn’t want to buy him out this year. What they wanted to do was protect themselves in the event that, if LeBron James left, whether George Hill would be willing to take a buyout on the $20 million he’s owed on his contract after this season," Windhorst revealed Tuesday on ESPN radio.

George Hill trade still on the cards for Cavaliers

NBC Sports' Dan Feldman believes that a George Hill trade is still on the table for Cleveland. The veteran point guard could accept a buyout, with hopes of playing in the NBA Finals in June. The Cavs are still the odds-on favourites to come out of the East and face the Golden State Warriors for a fourth consecutive year.

"Hill might be unhappy in Sacramento, but enough to relinquish significant salary protection just to get to Cleveland? He can probably tough it out on a bad team if it means getting all his money. I don’t blame the Cavs for wanting Hill to cut them a break. I’m just surprised trade discussions advanced so far based on the idea Hill would actually go for this," Feldman wrote in a report published late Tuesday.

With LeBron James expected to leave his hometown franchise and join the 2018 NBA Free Agency class, the Cavaliers front office are hesitant to give away assets, especially the prized Brooklyn Nets first-round pick. While the Cavs are still expected to make some moves ahead of the Feb. 8 NBA Trade Deadline, Windhorst and others don't expect a blockbuster move that will propel James to stay put in Cleveland. Stay tuned for the latest NBA Trade News.