Suns may have to battle for Hill

[az1965]

Suns may have to battle for Hill

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 30, 2007 09:47 PM

The Suns were expected to reach out to forward Grant Hill late Saturday when the NBA free-agency contact period opened.

Phoenix planned to contact Hill and his agent, Lon Babby, to set up a meeting with the 34-year-old veteran, who is the Suns' free-agency priority.

League sources said the belief is that Hill favors Phoenix, but ESPN reported that the Detroit Pistons are the favorite.

Others wonder if he would leave Orlando. Hill could feel he owes the Magic after making $92 million over seven injury-riddled years.

With the Suns facing the NBA's second-highest 2008 luxury tax (about $7 million), they will offer a veteran's minimum salary of $1.2 million but can offer a shot at a title, a system that fits his versatility and non-taxing practices for his ankle issues.

Hill and Suns assistant Alvin Gentry were together with the Pistons for five years.

The Suns' plans for Hill are unknown, but he could start with Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Shawn Marion and Amaré Stoudemire. Like Boris Diaw, Hill could serve as another distributor on the floor if Leandro Barbosa is at point guard.

Hill, who recently was in the Valley, averaged 14.4 points in 65 games last season.

The San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors also likely will be interested in Hill.

 

[azirish]

If ESPN reports it, then it must be true.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

With the Suns facing the NBA's second-highest 2008 luxury tax (about $7 million)

I could have sworn mavericks, lakers, knicks, and another were above us for salary tax issues

 

[hafey]

The mavs have several expiring contracts this off season, Croshere and Stackhouse. There were, but not currently.

 

[azirish]

This article is a classic no news article.

It has been widely reported that upwards of 20 teams have expressed inteterest in Hill. It is also reported that Hill said explicitly that what he wanted was:

1. Play a key role on a serious contender for the championship (he also said the Suns and Spurs are the two best teams.)

2. He wanted to play in warm weather city.

3. He wanted a team that did not have heavy practices.

4. He wanted an up tempo team that would best suit his style.

Only the Suns fit.

Obviously this could fail if his money demands are excessive (though the Suns have done what they could to prepare for that) or if he decides returning to Orlando (his current home) is still the best choice.

He did play in Detroit a long time ago, but it is hard to see how they fit what he's asking for. He would not start, the city is cold, and they are not an especially strong contender to actually win the championship.

 

[az1965]

If ESPN reports it, then it must be true.

 

[az1965]

Only the Suns fit.

It seems so, but our luck has been pretty crapy lately...

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

What was more of a sure thing

the garnett rumors at their peak
the hill rumors the last week

 

[dodie53]

hill will come to phoenix..
i can feel it..

 

[Diawsome]

I could have sworn mavericks, lakers, knicks, and another were above us for salary tax issues

Right now only Denver and New York are in line to pay more in tax then the Suns. Dallas has a larger payroll but they do not pay the tax for Finley's 18+ million $ contract because of the "Allen Houston" exception.

 

[BillsCarnage]

This article is a classic no news article.

It has been widely reported that upwards of 20 teams have expressed inteterest in Hill. It is also reported that Hill said explicitly that what he wanted was:

1. Play a key role on a serious contender for the championship (he also said the Suns and Spurs are the two best teams.)

2. He wanted to play in warm weather city.

3. He wanted a team that did not have heavy practices.

4. He wanted an up tempo team that would best suit his style.

Only the Suns fit.

Wasn't Finley looking for something similar? Money wasn't an issue w/ Tim Thomas either and he wanted to play for a title contender too, right?

You all are fooling yourself if you think Hill's choice is a one horse race. Don't be the least bit surprised to see him go elsewhere.

There is another team that he could get more $$, play an integral part and seriously contend for a title, but you already mentioned them.

 

[Mainstreet]

Right now only Denver and New York are in line to pay more in tax then the Suns. Dallas has a larger payroll but they do not pay the tax for Finley's 18+ million $ contract because of the "Allen Houston" exception.

I'm not doubting you are correct because I don't trust the knowledge of the media (compared to the knowledge of many posters on this board). Anyway, one local radio media person in Phoenix said the Suns were only behind NY in paying LT for next season. No matter who is correct, I guess it can be said the Suns aren't cheap although selling draft picks may draw criticism. However, since KT's contract expires after next season and Marion's contract expires the year after (unless he opts out), relief is on the way.

 

[Mainstreet]

Anyone but me ever wonder how good the Suns would have been if they had gotten Finley instead of SA?

 

[Chaplin]

So, the big 2 are only offering Hill the minimum:

Phoenix and San Antonio are offering only the veteran minimum salary for next season to Grant Hill: $1.2 million, with nearly $450,000 of that amount paid by the league office from a fund for veterans.

Detroit, Toronto and Orlando will be offering the 35-year-old much more.

Yet one source insisted early Sunday that he's already convinced that the injury-tortured Hill, having just completed a $93 million deal with Magic, is "going to Phoenix for sure."

That would be welcome news in the desert, since the Suns are desperate for savvy veterans to improve the team's overall IQ and since Hill is the only free agent Phoenix is looking to add to its hefty payroll.

The early indications, though, suggest Hill does want to consider all his options and won't rush into a commitment.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=2922326

 

[hafey]

It's too bad the Suns have so little financial flexibility. There are a number of good free agent role players available and little cap room/money to be spent. Looks like a buyers market.

 

[BillsCarnage]

It's too bad the Suns have so little financial flexibility. There are a number of good free agent role players available and little cap room/money to be spent. Looks like a buyers market.

Yup, the Diaw and Banks overpay sure are looking good right about now, eh?

 

[mribnik]

Yup, the Diaw and Banks overpay sure are looking good right about now, eh?

Were you against those signings at the time? Everybody thought Diaw was a bargain for the price and a lot of people, including me, were excited that the Suns were able to land Banks.

 

[az1965]

So, the big 2 are only offering Hill the minimum:

... which may have triggered this response from Hill...

The early indications, though, suggest Hill does want to consider all his options and won't rush into a commitment.

This does not look too promising.

 

[az1965]

Were you against those signings at the time? Everybody thought Diaw was a bargain for the price and a lot of people, including me, were excited that the Suns were able to land Banks.

Diaw, yes. Banks no, I wasn't too excited giving away picks and signing an expensive backup.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Only the Suns fit.

Obviously this could fail if his money demands are excessive (though the Suns have done what they could to prepare for that) or if he decides returning to Orlando (his current home) is still the best choice.

do you consider over the minimum "excessive" 'cuz if rumors and reports are true, that's all we're offering. and it will not be near enough.

 

[sunsfn]

Were you against those signings at the time? Everybody thought Diaw was a bargain for the price and a lot of people, including me, were excited that the Suns were able to land Banks.

Everybody was happy that Diaw signed, but some were surprised at the amount.
I was not happy that they signed Banks. I said that Danny Ainge let him go for almost nothing and he only had a couple months of decent basketball at MN. Many posters here told me that Danny Ainge did not know what he was doing and that Banks was an excellent sigining. (Maybe you were one of them)?

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns extending Diaw was the correct decision at the time and he played well for the Suns the previous season. However, in regard to signing Banks I blame much of it on D'Antoni and Griffin. D'Antoni just simply had too much on his plate and he more or less rubber stamped Griffin's idea of signing Banks. I feel if D'Antoni had taken the time to study Banks game (as we all learned later), his style did not fit the Suns. Actually I think Griffin deserves most of the blame on this one because D'Antoni had his hands full.

 

[Chaplin]

Kapono agreed to sign with Toronto for 4 years at 24million. Wonder if that will affect whatever they offered Grant Hill.

 

[mribnik]

Kapono agreed to sign with Toronto for 4 years at 24million. Wonder if that will affect whatever they offered Grant Hill.

I read that toronto pretty much got out of the Grant Hill sweepstakes because they didn't think they had a chance.

 

[HooverDam]

Kapono agreed to sign with Toronto for 4 years at 24million. Wonder if that will affect whatever they offered Grant Hill.

Wow good move by BC. I'm liking Toronto more and more, I think I'm going to officially adopt them as my Eastern Conference team.