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The gist: Like fellow Dukie and Ultimate Glue Guy, Shane Battier, Grant Hill plays the small forward position and will also be a free agent when the league resumes operation. He’s a seven-time All-Star and made plenty of money and playing basketball, meaning that he’s likely to decide where to play based on his chances of winning a championship. He could be a perfect fit for the Clippers, but he could also be a great value for a more established contender.
The case for: Despite his age and injury history, he has remained remarkably productive into his twilight years, missing only three games combined over the last three seasons. He is an excellent teammate and would fit right in to a locker room led by fitness freak Blake Griffin. He is extremely versatile, able to handle the ball — a valuable skill for a team without a traditional point guard — and space the floor, having developed a deadly 3-point stroke (over 40%) over the past two seasons. Won’t cost much in dollars (made just over $3 million last season) or years.
The case against: Hill turned 39 earlier this month. For a guy who has missed all or significant parts of five seasons during his 17-year career, durability has to be a question from now on. As expected, his defense has slipped from elite during his prime (around 105 points allowed per 100 possessions) to a more pedestrian 111 over the past three years. One of the most intelligent players in the league, you could see the team’s history and ownership situation deterring him from finishing his career with the Clips.
Twitter: @charliewiddoes
