Lakers Rumors: Steve Nash Wisely Recruiting Grant Hill to Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers have pulled off the biggest trade of the 2012 offseason thus far by poaching Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns. They now have a legitimate chance of adding another aging, but effective player in Grant Hill.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the 39-year-old swingman is one of Nash’s closest friends in the league and should be heavily recruited by the newest member of the Lakers to join his new team in free agency.

Stein notes that his colleague, Ric Bucher, found that the former All-Star is highly considering the move to L.A.

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Bucher reported over the weekend the Lakers were one of four teams (along with Toronto, New York and Phoenix) in the running for Hill after the 39-year-old's recent trip to Germany to undergo the same platelet-enrichment treatment on his knee that Bryant credited for his rejuvenated knee last season.

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Hill, the No. 3 overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, has been plagued with injuries throughout his career. However, he has been one of the most consistent players for the Suns since joining the team in 2007.

It now seems that the veteran is past that unfortunate stage of his career and may very well be on the verge of his best basketball in some time.

If Hill’s Germany trip has the same effect that it did on Bryant, there is a distinct possibility that the free agent could become the all-around starting-caliber small forward the Lakers have recently coveted.

Obviously, L.A. has got to first sign Hill before they can even think about installing him as a starter. The team has nothing more to offer than the veteran’s minimum, but Hill has yet to win a ring and may be willing to take that for a chance to raise a banner and play with his good friend Nash.

Expect the Lakers to make a major push for Hill and their new point guard, Nash, to lead the charge.