Grant Hill

So it's official. Well, actually it can't be official until the 11th, when Free Agency begins. But Grant Hill's agent has said that Hill has agreed in principal to a two-year contract offer from the Phoenix Suns, worth a total of just under $4 million. The beautiful thing is, $500,000 of that is paid by a league fund for veterans and will not count against the Salary Cap. While Grant was offered more money by other teams (supposedly), the Suns fit the wish list he was looking for, which consists of a) A Championship contender, b) A chance to start, c) A style that fits him, and d) Lighter practices, due to his injury concerns.

And therein lies the only possible drawback to this deal: Hill's injury-plagued past. After signing a 6-year, $93 Million deal with Orlando in 2000, Hill has spent much of his time on the IR, having appeared in more than 30 games in just two seasons. In fact, in six seasons, Hill played in only 200 of 492 regular season games for the Magic.

His best year, however, was last year, where Hill played in 58 games and averaged 14.4 points, while shooting better than 50%. While not a three-point shooter, Hill attempted just 12 all last year, Hill has other great attributes he will bring to the Suns. One of those attributes, which GM Steve Kerr and Head Coach Mike D'Antoni in particular triumph, is Hill's ability to be a playmaker and distributor while Steve Nash is not on the floor. D'Antoni also said he likes Hill's late career push for a Championship, providing some veteran leadership for the young team.

Hill is expected to challenge Boris Diaw for the last starting position, alongside Nash, Raja Bell, Shawn Marion, and Amare' Stoudemire. Personally, i think they should hand him the starting job. I like Diaw coming off the bench better anyway, and Hill is a stud who will make the Suns go. Essentially he replaces Jr Jones, and while he doesn't have the 3 range Jones did, Hill rebounds well and can provide valuable leadership, as well as create his own shot when the Suns' offense goes through their lulls they are bound to have during games.

While Hill is no Kevin Garnett, he is still a great pick-up for the Suns. Every team needs that one veteran pushing everyone, and now the Suns have two with Nash and Hill. The time for the Suns is 2007-2008, and the run to the Championship begins in 4 months.

As for me, I'm off to Chicago for the weekend. You kids have fun now, and expect some more posts from Smitty about the Dbacks apparent effort to undermine the essential basics of baseball, pissing him off to no end. Until later bitches, i'm out...