OT: Is Grant Hill Available?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:21 am
I wonder if he is available and for what or if he could get bought out. He would be a solid, solid pickup.
Grant Hill Talks About Possible Trade To Magic
posted by Bschmitz on Dec 18, 2008 11:08:01 AM
Phoenix Suns shooting guard Grant Hill said he'd retire before the Suns trade him to Orlando --- or anywhere else. "If I get traded, I quit," Hill told the Arizona Republic on Wednesday.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports ... -talk.html
The deal will not become official until the league’s salary cap is officially set on Wednesday. Hill, who turns 35 on Oct. 5, will earn Phoenix’s biannual exception for this season ($1.83 million) and a player option for 2008-09 (the salary would increase to almost $2 million).
Hill’s agent, Lon Babby, said as many as 15 teams called to inquire about Hill’s services and many were willing to offer more money.
It was also difficult for Hill to leave Orlando, where he will continue to live with his wife, R&B singer Tamia. Hill and his wife are expecting their second child soon. The Magic made a big move Tuesday by signing free agent Rashard Lewis.
But Babby said Hill, who has never been past the first round of the playoffs, stuck with his first priority: To play for a winner. “Grant wants to win a championship,” Babby said. “In the end, he felt Phoenix gives him the best chance.”
Hill also wanted to play where he could make a significant impact on the fortunes of the team, and Phoenix might offer more opportunity than suitors like Dallas, Detroit, Miami and San Antonio. The Suns could start him at small forward, joining center Amaré Stoudemire and power forward Shawn Marion up front with the backcourt of Steve Nash and Raja Bell. Add in Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw (the other starter possibility) and Kurt Thomas, and Phoenix’s eight-man rotation would be their strongest in the (coach Mike) D’Antoni era.
Hill also gives the Suns another “point forward” playmaking option (along with Diaw) and an opportunity to rest Nash more during the regular season. Phoenix sees him as an offensive upgrade over James Jones, who would have made more money ($2.9 million this season).
Babby said Hill spoke with Nash over the past few days and sources said Nash was the one who placed the call. Hill’s relationship with Suns assistant coach Alvin Gentry, who was Hill’s coach for five seasons in Detroit, was also a plus.