The Houston Rockets have announced that wing Solomon Hill has undergone season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured quad tendon in his left leg and will be out for the rest of the 2018-19 NBA season.
Hill, who was already signed to a four-year, $27.7m contract through 2022-23, dislocated his left knee cap on Monday and re-injured the knee in practice on Tuesday, the team announced in a press release on Monday.
One of five players included in the introductory video for new Rockets guard Carmelo Anthony in the off-season, Hill was averaging 8.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 63 games with the Rockets this season. He started 44 of them. He is already out of the playoffs in the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz.
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Prior to this season, Hill played for three teams in five seasons. The 6ft 7in guard was first drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2013, then traded to the Houston Rockets during the 2015-16 season. Since then, he has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Rockets.
Hill has career averages of 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. He has spent the majority of his career in a reserve role, but appears to have been one of the Rockets’ top subs this season. He was also known for his versatile play, with the Rockets boasting a roster that required versatile forward depth.
Per the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets could have an improved offensive and defensive game plan to try to make up for the loss of Hill. Forward PJ Tucker – originally expected to be a backup power forward this season – has taken on added responsibilities as a defensive specialist. It would be a shock if he isn’t a vital part of a rotation that has one of the league’s best defensive teams, along with the offensively inexperienced MVP candidate James Harden.
On the other hand, point guard Chris Paul was not offered a new contract by the Rockets as his contract expires at the end of the season. His contract contains a Bird Rights option which he is expected to exercise.
Whether or not Paul opts out, there is no lack of capable veteran supporting Chris Paul (@CP3) on offense. He has helped me play better and know more. https://t.co/SNFvvPe89N — Nicolasia Ribeiro (@NicolaRibeiro) June 24, 2018
The Rockets have had a formidable run of defensive success in recent years. Harden and Paul have both been a part of that success, but neither have fully been settled in as their respective point guards. During their absence, veterans Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker – along with new arrival Brandon Knight – could be in line for more playing time.