Fresh off another disappointing playoff defeat the Suns have jumped right into the NBA free agent market by signing Former Duke Blue Devil and most recent Orlando Magic player Grant Hill. The Suns signed the 6-foot-8 forward to a 2 year deal, reported to be valued at 1.8 million the first year with a second year player option valued at approximately 2 million. Not that Grant is hurting for any “bucks” as he is fresh off the final season of his 93 million dollar 7-year contract with the Magic that he signed in 2000. During this 7-year contract, Hill appeared in 200 out of a possible 574 regular season games or 35%. Now that percentage would be a fantastic “batting” average if Grant were a major league baseball player, but it is not so great as a “lunch-pail” type NBA performer, that worked out to a total of $465,000 per game based on his appearance instead of Orlando’s intent of 162,000 per game.

So what does this signing do exactly for the Suns? Well in my opinion, not much of anything, The Suns are simply ‘adding one more 6-foot-8 player to run up and down the court with Steve Nash, but by signing Hill, it still doesn’t give the Suns anyone to match up with either Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki, in the Western Conference, which is where the Suns biggest weakness has been. Also, unless either Shawn Marion, Boris Diaw, or Raja Bell are moved, it only appears to create a log-jam for playing time at the small forward/shooting guard position, although, given Hills penchant for injury, the personal problem may or may not come to light.

However the Suns two biggest problems remains that they have exceeded the NBA’s Salary cap level, and besides Amare Stoudemire lack anything resembling an inside presence there are still rumors of wanting to add Kevin Garnett to the mix. Stoudemire’s salary of 12.5 million would require the Suns adding at least one other player at around 5 million to make a deal for Garnett (salary of approximately 21 million). I don’t think the Suns want to send both Stoudemire and Marion to the T-Wolves. I am certain that the Suns will make at least one more move before the 2007-08 season begins, will it be one that shakes up the entire NBA or not remains to be seen.

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Lloyds Apple said:

	NBA veterans can make a difference. Not sure about Hill though. The Suns will be fine the way they are. Why mess with a good thing?
	report abuse vote down vote up

July 07, 2007
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