Continuing the trend of players hopping around the NBA’s Pacific Division, it looks like Phoenix Suns veteran guard Grant Hill will be signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The terms of the contract are still being worked out but it looks like Hill will sign a two-year deal with the Clips. Hill will be turning 40 before next season starts but he can still be a big help off the bench to a recently beefed up L.A. roster.
Hill struggled with injuries throughout most of his career, but when he came to Phoenix, it was like the desert air rejuvenated him and kept him healthy. In five seasons with the Suns, he only missed a handful of games due to injury. His numbers have certainly decreased since his high flying days in Detroit and Orlando, but he was a much more consistent contributor when he stayed healthy.
He’ll be joining a very talented Clippers team that has already added Jamal Crawford and Lamar Odom this off-season. We’ll have to see if those two can rebound from the awful seasons they had last year in Portland and Dallas, but if they return to form, the Clippers could be very good.
Hill will come off the bench for the Clips and probably won’t play too many minutes, but when he does play, he’s well known for his ability to make those minutes count. He’s a very smart player that doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He takes good shots and can play some great defense considering his age.
But I think the Clippers will benefit most from Hill’s veteran leadership. They already get a good deal from Chauncey Billups, but pairing Billups and Hill can only result in good things. The Clippers are an immature team that could use the sage wisdom of these two vets.
Grant Hill will surely not be lighting up the stat sheet this season in L.A. but all the intangibles he brings to the table may help push the Clippers to the top of the Western Conference. I have to commend this team on their active offseason. It really looks like they’re focused on accomplishing something great.
