<br> The problem is, the Rockets kept trying to play him at center. The Lakers sub him in for Gasol at the 4 spot so he's still facing pf's with a 7 footer in Bynum anchoring the defense. Hill wouldn't have worked out for the Rockets because we just don't have that type of length
I love Rudy T, like everyone here, but if there was ever an underachieving Rockets, it would be the Rudy T coached/post-Hakeem teams. Rudy T was the perfect coach at the perfect time for the Rockets. I think there are very few teams he would fit with and excel.
The one thing Hill CAN do is grab some boards. Its his rebounding alone can't compensate for all the other areas he's inconistent in, including focus.
They can sign him, but (1) he is unrestricted, and (2) they'll have to pay 100% luxury tax on his contract. My guess is someone else will offer Hill more than what the Lakers will. His option is $3.6 million. Picking up that option would have made it extremely difficult for the Rockets have meaningful cap room this summer. Hill is not worth losing a chance for the Rockets to make a significant FA signing or trade over. Also, the reason why the Lakers were willing to give the Rockets a 1st round pick in the Fisher/Hill trade was that Hill's option was not picked up-- thus useful as means to save roughly $8 million by dumping Fisher's salary and luxury tax liabilities. Jim Buss might think Hill has a chance to develop as a big man in his 4th or 5th year, but he wasn't about to give up a 1st round pick and pay $7.2 million ($3.6 million in salary, $3.6 million in luxury tax) next year to find out whether he will do so.
In all honesty, though, could the Lakers find a player, late in the draft who can contribute, like Hill. Yeah, but at what probability of chance that they will find such a player.
Hill is a good backup big on a contender. He's worth about $10 million over 4 years. The reason is his production can easily be replaced by this type of contract. But you know what, he'll probably get $20-30 million over the next 4 years and that is a bad, bad contract. But some stupid GM will pay him. Just watch.
Ughhhh I told y'all hill was better than Patterson. Some members here don't take into account when a player is playing out of position. I.e. Chuck Hayes and now Jordan Hill.
Ppat was also injured basically the whole season and didn't get a chance to work on his game during the summer. They're both good players, period.
