The Indiana Pacers confirmed Tuesday that the team signed free agent guard Monta Ellis and forward/center Jordan Hill to contracts.
The team did not release terms, but reports earlier in the month pegged Ellis’ deal at four years and $44 million. Hill received a one-year, $5 million contract, The Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Ellis led the Dallas Mavericks in scoring last season at 18.9 points per game.
“He’ll be a great addition to our team,” Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said. “And he fits our needs for how we want to play. We’re excited to have him. He adds another veteran in our lineup and we think he’ll be a great fit, complementing George Hill in the backcourt.”
The 10-year NBA veteran has career averages of 19.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 678 regular-season games with the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and Mavericks.
“We’re thrilled to have Monta Ellis with the Pacers,” coach Frank Vogel said. “He’s proven to be one of the league’s most prolific scorers year in and year out and his game fits perfectly with the style we’re going to implement going forward.”
Hill, a six-year veteran, started 57 games for the Los Angeles Lakers and averaged a career-best 12.0 points and 7.9 rebounds last season. The Pacers are hoping that Hill and rookie first-round draft pick Myles Turner will fill the void left by departed center Roy Hibbert.
Hill spent the past three seasons with the Lakers and previously was with the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks. He has career averages of 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
“He brings size and energy to our frontcourt and we look forward to see how he plays an up-tempo game,” Bird said. “We know he can rebound and score points for us and we look forward to having him.”
Bird also discussed moving Pacers standout Paul George to power forward next season. Some have questioned whether the position switch would be a good one for George.
“I’m not going to get into a battle about where Paul George will play,” Bird said. “He’s a basketball player, and we can put him anywhere out there.”
Bird has been trying to convince George that he could be more productive. George apparently has concerns, but Bird said it’s ultimately the team’s option.
“He don’t make the decisions around here. But I did it, and I loved it after I did it,” Bird said.
“I know what it did for my career and coming off this (leg) injury, I think it would be a good thing because he can still guard some threes, but he doesn’t have to do it all the time.”