NBA Free Agents 2012: Grant Hill Must Not Snub Lakers & Thunder for Heat

He may not be the biggest name on the free-agent market, but Grant Hill could be one of the most valuable acquisitions if put in the right situation.

According to NBA.com's David Aldridge, there are a few such situations on his radar:

"

Free agent forward Grant Hill is still considering at least two other teams–the two teams in last month’s Finals, Miami and Oklahoma City–as well as the Lakers as he decides where he’s going to play next season, according to a source with knowledge of the 39-year-old forward’s thinking.

"

Clearly, it's good to be Grant Hill.

Any of those options would give him a chance to win and win big, but one of them wouldn't offer nearly the same opportunity for Hill to actually play.

The Miami Heat already had a pretty stacked wing, and it will get just a bit more crowded with the addition of Rashard Lewis.

Even if LeBron James spends most of his time at the 4, that still leaves some combination of Lewis, Shane Battier and Mike Miller getting the lion's share of minutes at Hill's preferred small forward position.

Hill may be versatile enough to guard a few shooting guards, but that's not his strong-suit. 

The veteran swingman may be 39 years old, but he still started for the Phoenix Suns last season and played over 28 minutes a game. He'd surely be willing to take on a reduced role with a contender, but that doesn't mean he should be reduced to cameo minutes.

Among the clubs on Hill's shortlist, the one with the most obvious need for his services is obviously the Los Angeles Lakers. Outside of Metta World Peace and the still-developing Devin Ebanks, L.A. doesn't have much else on hand.

The position is easily the most glaring weakness in a lineup that otherwise features Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

The Oklahoma City Thunder may seem like a less ideal fit, but keep in mind that Kevin Durant is versatile enough to play at both forward positions and doesn't have a legitimate backup to speak of.

More importantly, Hill would join Thabo Sefolosha as a tandem of perimeter defenders that would better allow OKC to hide Durant on defense and keep him out of foul trouble.

Between Hill's still-formidable defensive ability and solid mid-range game, he'll remain an asset for another year or two.

He'd just be a lot more of an asset to a rotation that actually needs him.