The advantage goes to those with the last word.
The Suns' chances to retain free-agent forward Grant Hill improved after a Suns contingent of Managing Partner Robert Sarver, General Manager Steve Kerr and coach Alvin Gentry traveled to Orlando to meet with him Wednesday night and Thursday morning, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Suns officials could not be reached for comment.
The Suns trip was a response to how the New York Knicks swayed Hill this week by giving him the option to accept a one-year, $5 million deal or a three-year, $10 million deal. The Suns' initial negotiations did not make much of an impression on Hill, but the offer was sweetened on the recent visit, a response to the bargaining chip that former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni's Knicks gave Hill after the forward visited New York on Monday.
Suns guard Steve Nash also helped Phoenix's recruiting cause, putting in a call to his co-captain and good friend, Hill, to lobby for his return to the Suns. Nash's move falls in line with sources saying that the Suns and Nash have made significant progress toward a contract extension for the point guard.
The Suns pushed back a meeting with forward Amaré Stoudemire to woo Hill in person but are expected to tell Stoudemire that they are keeping him in their plans for the coming season.
Hill's decision was believed to be narrowed between New York and the tug of wanting to remain with the Suns, even if it is for less money. Boston also has recruited Hill hard but was limited to offering the biennial exception - a two-year contract starting at $1.9 million next season - and a chance at a championship run. However, Hill's role with the Celtics would be as a backup to Paul Pierce, and he would be a starter and leader in Phoenix or New York.
Hill, who will turn 37 this off-season, wants to play two or three more years. Injuries have caused him to miss a lot of basketball in his career, and his health is good after playing well and not missing a game last season.
The Suns made Hill their free-agency priority, with Kerr visiting Hill's Orlando home on July 1, once free-agency contact was allowed.
Hill entered the process saying he was leaning toward a return but wanted to be "fairly compensated" after already playing for below market value the past two seasons. He came to Phoenix for a two-year, $3.8 million contract with the biennial exception, which the Suns could not use again on him. The Suns likely will have to use a portion of their mid-level exception (worth $5.85 million) to sign Hill.
"I sure would like to stay," Hill said on the eve of free-agency contact. "It's been like home. We've enjoyed being there."
