Grant Hill is next.......

[Jammer]

The wrench in signing Grant Hill is that Phoenix is apparently not blowing up their team.

Steve Kerr made a trip to Hill's Orlando home to convince him to stay,
supposedly wants to negoitate an extension with Steve Nash,
and wants to keep the team together, possibly,
since they haven't been able to move Stoudamire in a deal
that they consider satisfactory.

They still have Jason Richardson, Robin Lopez,
and now have Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic in exchange for Shaq.

Not good enough to make the playoffs in the West,
but more entertaining than the loser they would be if they
bought Steve Nash out, let Hill walk, and traded Amare.

So, Hill may not be leaving Phoenix after all.

However, if Nash doesn't go for an extension,
(Knicks would only offer him a one year deal, anyway)
and Amare suddenly gets traded for a satisfactory offer,
then the team is getting blown up,
and Hill is back on the open market.

[threrf23]

3 of the 4 players you list are ferocious defenders. Mutombo is one of the top 2 all time at his position. Hunter and Bowen were outstanding.

Right. I am not saying that Hill isn't a very solid player and hasn't been a very good defender in the past.

Its more along the lines of - three of the four players I mentioned, ignoring Deke who is simply a freak of nature...

Bruce Bowen did not contribute much on a weakened Spurs team last season, Lindsey Hunter has played 52 games in two seasons and has not played well when healthy, Brent Barry played well enough last season but was not his recent self and has played only 87 games in two seasons.

And for every one of these guys, there are several "very good" players in the same age group that weren't able to stay in the league over the past few seasons.

So I don't really get your point. Just because Hill has been a very solid player (and statistically he has been a very good defender although he declined this past season), does not mean he would stay healthy and would not decline.

[Mr. Sun]

I'd take Grant off the list because he will be returning the Suns. He isn't interested in playing anywhere else.

[MaxwellSmart]

until anyone actually signs here....I aint counting any un-hatched chickens....we were REALLY lucky to get James Posey 2 years ago.

[billfromBoston]

I'm not personally in love with Grant Hill's game. He definitely would add some slashing and playmaking ability. He's very good in the open court and he can stick it from mid-range. But the Celtics have a lot of guys they need to get touches for if they keep Marbury and add Sheed and Grant Hill. Rondo, Ray, Pierce, KG, Marbury, Hill and Sheed all need the ball... I'm not sure that one ball is enough for all of these guys. But hey, there's no question that Hill would add skill and veteran savvy to the roster.

They certainly don't "all need the ball" at this stage in their careers...good ball movement and smart shot selection will satisfy all - these guys are looking for rings, not stats...think 90's Blazers, Sonics, and Suns - many former All Stars all playing together as role players...

[billfromBoston]

I'd take Grant off the list because he will be returning the Suns. He isn't interested in playing anywhere else.

The Suns are nowhere near ready to contend for the title - Hill knows this - he ain't sticking around for the last couple seasons of his career just because Phoenix is "nice"...sorry...

[ParticleMan]

I'd take Grant off the list because he will be returning the Suns. He isn't interested in playing anywhere else.

and this little nugget of information comes from...?

i'm sorry, when you trade shaq for a retired guy and a journeyman SG, you're blowing up the team. i don't see what else you can call it.

Hill has maybe 2 good years left in him, if that. does he really want to spend it toiling on a 35-40 win non-playoff team trying to right itself? or come to a title contender with a dire need at the backup SF where he might even get more minutes than in PHX (depending on whether they decide to "feature" some young kids)?

[JHTruth]

I read somewhere that the Knicks are going to throw the entire MLE at Hill. One-year deal but might take us out of the running unless we offer multiple years..

[Rocky5000]

Grant Hill stuff from hoopshype

Hill received a recruiting video from Walsh and D’Antoni via e-mail just after midnight, Babby said. Hill played for D’Antoni in Phoenix and “has a great connection with him,” Babby said. “I think it’s genuine,” Babby said of Hill’s interest. “It’s not just a curiosity.” New York Times

An NBA source said the Nuggets are interested in Phoenix veteran Grant Hill, who could be a steal at around $3 million a year, though there are other teams interested in the former all-star. Denver Post

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr spent a few hours at Grant Hill's Orlando house Wednesday to begin re-recruiting him, and team personnel put in calls to free-agent big men Antonio McDyess, Channing Frye, Sean May, Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. Nobody can attest to the interest or the sales pitch better than McDyess or Hill. Beyond using some of the mid-level exception for Hill, the Suns will bank on their system, city, point guard Steve Nash and winning history to lure others with minimum contracts and maybe the biennial exception. Arizona Republic


Also on McDyess related news

According to Andy Miller, agent for Tyronne Lue - a reserve guard for Orlando who is close to Garnett - and forward Antonio McDyess, Ainge has expressed interest in both players. McDyess was expected to return to the Pistons, but began checking other options because Detroit signed Charlie Villanueva, who agreed in principle to a contract yesterday, according to the Associated Press. Boston Globe

[TheOGJabroni]

This may be a stupid question, but has Grant Hill won a championship yet? I honestly cannot recall. If not, has he expressed much desire to win one? I won’t call it “ring chasing” like many do, but you get the idea. If he does really want to win one, PHX should not really be an option for him. Time will tell I guess.

[nasbahceltic]

This may be a stupid question, but has Grant Hill won a championship yet? I honestly cannot recall. If not, has he expressed much desire to win one? I won’t call it “ring chasing” like many do, but you get the idea. If he does really want to win one, PHX should not really be an option for him. Time will tell I guess.

No, Hill's never even made it out of the first round

[tlee324]

Hill would provide a very stable scorer and solid all around player off the bench granted he continues to play healthy like he did last season. With Hill and Sheed possibly coming to Boston, the team will have a versatile veteran scorer off the bench, and a veteran that can shoot the three. Some of the elements we lost and didn't replace in Posey will be there. My concern (apologies to those that have probably already addressed this) is will Sheed take a bench role? Or is he a starter?

[Mr. Sun]

I'd take Grant off the list because he will be returning the Suns. He isn't interested in playing anywhere else.

The Suns are nowhere near ready to contend for the title - Hill knows this - he ain't sticking around for the last couple seasons of his career just because Phoenix is "nice"...sorry...

He could had signed with anyone last year, didn't. Blew off the lakers, too.

100% positive he will be resigning with the suns, or he retires. He said the Suns are his last stop. Believe him.