Pacers: Hill found out about Jazz trade in direct call, not voicemail
The Indiana Pacers want the basketball world to know that they handle their business professionally.
The franchise dealt point guard and Indiana native George Hill to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade early in July, with team president Larry Bird reportedly informing Hill of the move in a voicemail he eventually received after he completed a workout.
The Pacers publicly refuted the story Wednesday on Twitter - weeks after the original report surfaced.
To clarify some misinformation that has been reported, Larry Bird informed George Hill of his trade in a direct phone call, not voicemail.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 3, 2016
Regardless of how he received the news, Hill was caught off guard by the fact he couldn't play out the remainder of his career in his hometown, even though he understood that the potential was always there for him to be traded.
"It came as a surprise," Hill said. "Last time I checked, I was supposed to retire from Indiana. Very surprising, but I know this is a business and anything can happen. So, I'm not upset about it."
Hill played five seasons in a Pacers uniform, averaging 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 45 percent shooting.