When the New Orleans Pelicans signed Solomon Hill before last year, the player (and the team) seemed to face some scrutiny. The reasoning was simple enough, Hill didn’t seem like a player deserving of a four-year/$48-million deal.
There were some solid arguments to go with this too. For example, Hill averaged just 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in the prior season.
Those stats don’t tell the whole story, however.
The main argument for the contract is pretty basic, the NBA had more money. Contracts are rising, and $12-million a year for a role player isn’t that insane anymore.