George Hill discusses being traded, his relationship with Hayward & Lyles, and death to The Blonde Faze

George Hill joins his third franchise, the Utah Jazz.

George Hill was at the Utah Jazz’s team facilities late last week to take a physical, meet the staff, and familiarize himself with his new environment. Entering his ninth NBA season, it will be Hill’s third NBA franchise. (Three in San Antonio, five in Indianapolis.)

Hill became a member of the Jazz after he was part of a trade before the draft that brought Jeff Teague home from Utah.

[Paul George in goodbye post to George Hill: ‘We created a bond you can’t break’]

On Friday, Hill met with local reporters to discuss his the trade, his new home, and more. I documented the key notes and quotes below, including Hill being over the blonde look and his relationship with Indy guys Gordon Hayward and Trey Lyles — both of whom are already on the roster.

• After a workout, Hill first learned he was traded when he listened to a voicemail from Pacers President Larry Bird saying “we had to trade you to Utah.”
• On his relationship with Jazz GM Dennis Lindsay, who was with him in San Antonio: “Very good. He was the guy that helped draft me. Like I said, we have a lot of stories. He helped draft me, he got rid of me, he brought me back. But, in reality, he’s the first team and organization that gave me an opportunity to play this game that I love. So, very familiar with him and his family, very familiar with the head coach in (Quin) Snyder.”
• Hill said he isn’t focused on his role. “We have one common goal and that’s to win games and to try to get to the playoffs. That’s my focus right there.”
• With the Jazz missing the playoffs in each of the last four years, Hill noted how valuable veteran, playoff experience will come from himself, Boris Diaw, and Joe Johnson.
• On if he was surprised that he was traded: “It came as a surprise. 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. I think I’m in a great situation here. I’m here, somewhere where I feel wanted right now.”
• On his relationship with Gordon Hayward: “I’ve been knowing Gordon every since he was a sophomore in high school. I don’t even know how long ago that was because he’s getting old now, too. I’ve known him since he was a sophomore at Brownsburg and I was in college at the time. And then him going on to Butler. When I actually got to the NBA, I still kept tabs on him to see how he was doing, him and Shelvin [Mack], at Butler. Because IUPUI and Butler are right down the right street from each other, so we’re all kind of like one big little group there.”
• And Trey Lyles: “I only got to meet Trey like once. He was a lot younger than me. … He was a big guy in our city and I knew a lot about him I just never got the opportunity to meet him. Trey’s a great guy; he kind of mentors one of my young kids that’s in my AAU program. He’s really taken that kid under his wing and showed that kid that he can do anything.”
• Community remains his top priority: “My first thing is when I get here, is to touch down in the community. The biggest thing you can do is to give back to the community and the community embraces you. It’s always bigger than basketball.”
• On what color his hair might be next year: “I was thinking about going green or blue, just to open up. I’m not sure. We’ll see where it all goes from there. But I think the blonde faze is out. It was just something I wanted to try and I gave that its run for its money. It didn’t turn out too, too bad. But who knows. I like to do crazy things at times.” [See Also: Hill colors hair blonde]
• Hill plans to get the team together in Utah a few weeks before the season to start building chemistry.
• On living in Utah: “Not prepared for the cold but it happens. It comes with the territory. It’s not like I’ve not been in the cold coming from Indiana, so it can’t be that bad.”

[George Hill gets engaged to longtime girlfriend]

Watch his first interview with the media below, via the Utah Jazz on Facebook:

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