Lakers Trade Rumors: Jordan Hill ‘Happy’ To Stay In LA?
By Jacob Rude
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Lakers trade rumors are swirling, but is their top asset in Jordan Hill happy to stay in LA even with the Lakers losing?
Beginning in the off-season, Jordan Hill’s massive contract relative to his production was seen as a potential trade asset. While he had veto power, his one-year deal with a team option for the second season would likely be intriguing to contenders.
The hitch in the plan all along has been the fact that, due to the nature of the deal, Hill would have veto power as long as the second year was non-guaranteed. If the Lakers or the team he may be traded to agreed to exercise the option for his second year, Hill loses veto power in a trade. Until then, he can shoot down any trade.
The common narrative has been that Hill would welcome a trade from one of the league’s worst teams to a playoff or title contender. However, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Hill may be comfortable staying in LA despite the losing.
.@Randy_BDA You think OKC would trade Perkins for Jordan Hill? -> Maybe, but does Jordan agree to go? He can veto a trade. He's also injured
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 10, 2015
.@Randy_BDA ---> There is this narrative that Jordan would "welcome" a trade. I was told he's happy living/playing in LA, despite the losing
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 10, 2015
.@Randy_BDA --> Lakers could exercise their option year & take the veto off the table but then that changes the trade dynamics significantly
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 10, 2015
.@Randy_BDA --> Jordan is a starter (when healthy) for the Lakers and posting good numbers -- he goes to OKC and flatlines hurts his value
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 10, 2015
The Lakers obviously will be working the phone lines and Hill will likely be the name thrown around most often, but unless they get creative or find a situation that Hill can’t turn down, there appear to be some hurdles to clear.
As Kyler stated, the Lakers could pick up the second year of Hill’s deal, but then his contract is no longer an expiring deal, but an overpayment for what Hill is: a highly efficient rebounder, energy guy who can inconsistently knock down a mid-range jumper.
With the trade deadline closing in nine days, the Lakers are going to have a lot of decisions to make which could drastically effect their future.
Next: Lakers Rumors: Ishmael Smith Deletes Tweet About Joining Lakers
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