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Lakers Have Tough Choice To Make With Jordan Hill

By Anthony F. Irwin

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Jordan Hill came was considered by many a bust after stints as a New York Knick and Houston Rocket. Since coming to the Los Angeles Lakers, though, he’s turned his career around well enough to earn a contract worth up to $18 million. The second year of that deal is a team option that would be ridiculous to pick up as there will probably be cheaper options at his position.

Part of the issue is that he was played slightly out of position. Hill is athletic enough to make do at center, but he seemed much more comfortable at power forward. Over the last two years, he’s added a midrange set shot to fit in today’s “pace and space” strategy, which, combined with his offensive rebounding, would make him a valuable asset for any contender, but at the right price.

-== Top 10 Lakers Draft Picks of All-Time ==-

If Mitch Kupchak chose to pick up that team option, Hill would be on the books for $9 million in an offseason where flexibility is absolutely crucial. That money could probably be better-spent on one of his teammates. Ed Davis will be a free agent, too, and odds are he won’t command nearly the salary Hill would. Not only that, Davis fits more comfortably alongside rookie Julius Randle given his defensive abilities at the rim.

This isn’t to say Hill is worthless by any stretch, just that the Lakers would be shooting themselves in the foot by picking up an option at above market value. I could completely envision a team like the San Antonio Spurs show interest in what Hill brings to the table. As maddening as it would be to see him flourish under Gregg Popovich’s system, it’ll drive us all the more crazy if Hill reacquisition precludes the Lakers from finding better value on the free agent market.

Next: NBA Rumors: Will LaMarcus Aldridge Leave Portland?

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