NBA free agency: Jordan Hill sparks Miami Heat’s interest

Lakers' Jordan Hill is wrapped by by Suns P.J Tucker during first period action  at Staples Center Sunday, March 30, 2014.  ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

Lakers’ Jordan Hill is wrapped by by Suns P.J Tucker during first period action at Staples Center Sunday, March 30, 2014. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News )

The Miami Heat have much more pressing concerns on keeping LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. But the Heat have also expressed interest in acquiring Lakers forward Jordan Hill, according to a league source familiar with the discussions.

Hill has sparked interest from other teams, including the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets. But Hill’s free agency interest has not gone beyond what one source called “dialogue” and no meetings with teams are currently scheduled.

There is a sense that Hill represents one of many NBA free agents whose future depends on how the dominoes fall surrounding where both James and Carmelo Anthony choose as their free agency destination. The Heat have also already acquired forward Josh McRoberts from Charlotte.

Despite posting a career-high 9.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in the 2013-14 season, Hill grew frustrated last season with the Lakers under Mike D’Antoni’s system that featured him having a fluctuating role partly because of his preference for a so-called “small ball” system. Hill became more amenable toward returning to the Lakers. But his future seems uncertain there.

The Lakers are also waiting for James and Anthony to make their decision. They also drafted Kentucky power forward Julius Randle, a bruising post player who could take away Hill’s minutes. Hill’s preference for a three or four year deal also contradicts the Lakers’ preferences for small-term contracts to maximize cap flexibility for future offseasons.


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