2. Jordan Hill
Seeing Jordan Hill’s contract this summer was eye-popping to say the least. $18 million over two years for an energy guy, and not even the league’s best, seems like a huge overpay. Then, the details were revealed: a team option in the second year. The deal was done with a possible mid-season trade in mind. The hurdle to clear is the virtual no-trade clause in Hill’s deal. Since it’s a two-year deal with an option in the second, Hill has the right to refuse any trade.
However, if the Lakers are going along at a .500 record rate, it’s hard to imagine Hill denying a trade to a contender. If the Thunder come calling, or the Heat, or the Spurs, could Hill turn them down? In essence, he’d be turning down $9 million most likely as the team he’s traded to will turn down his option, but he’ll be fighting for a title, something he likely won’t get to do in LA the next two seasons.
If Hill does approve a trade, he becomes a nice commodity for a team as he’s essentially an expiring deal that will be great for a playoff run either as a starter or off the bench. Few players can grab offensive rebounds like him, with his 13.8% offensive rebound rate ranking him 3rd in the league last year behind just Andre Drummond and Samuel Dalembert.