NBA Rumors: Lakers Losing Jordan Hill to Timberwolves Would Be Disastrous

Passion is invaluable.

The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t just eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2012 NBA Playoffs because they were a more talented basketball team—they wanted it more, too. Jordan Hill is the only L.A. big man that leaves everything out on the floor each night and failing to re-sign him would be a catastrophe.

According to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld, Hill met with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

The 6’10”, 235-pound former first-round pick averaged an impressive 6.3 rebounds in just 18.1 minutes of action per game during the postseason. He posted double-digit rebounding efforts in two wins against the Denver Nuggets that were decided by just four points. His influence is undeniable and his loss wouldn’t go unnoticed.

Pau Gasol defines the term "passive." While Andrew Bynum plays with a mean streak at times, he just as frequently takes nights off. Los Angeles needs a fiery backup for their pair of talented, yet maddeningly inconsistent seven-footers.

Hill is a perfect fit. While Gasol and Bynum would rather score points, Hill embraces the dirty work. His versatility to play alongside both bigs only adds to his value.

If the Lakers lose Hill, they’ll get worse at the position next season. And they won’t be able to sign a big with his ability at an equal price.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, L.A. can only offer Hill a maximum deal of $3,632,450 per year.

Now, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that Omer Asik was offered a huge contract from the Houston Rockets.

"

Rockets have reached agreement with Omer Asik on a three-year, $25.1 million contract, league source tells Y! Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2012"

Asik is a superior defender to Hill, but they play similar roles. If Hill draws an offer even remotely close to Asik's, he’s as good as gone. Hopefully for the Lakers sake, the T-Wolves don’t value him as much as they do.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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