Miami Heat Rumors: Signing Grant Hill Would Be Completely Unnecessary
If Grant Hill signed with the Miami Heat, fans would talk once more about how the strongest team in the league got even stronger, just like when Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen were signed.
However, unlike the aforementioned duo that have actually already taken their talents to South Beach, Hill wouldn't help the Heat get stronger.
According to NBA.com's David Aldridge, Hill has narrowed his list of destinations to just three and the Heat are still on the board:
"Grant Hill still considering Heat, Thunder, as well as Lakers, per source. Story up soon on NBA.com's Hang Time Blog.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 10, 2012"
While Hill could win a ring with the Heat, signing him is completely and utterly unnecessary from Miami's perspective, even for the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million.
Miami is quickly becoming the NBA's retirement home, which is appropriate because Florida seems to be exactly that for the rest of the United States. Between Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis and potentially Grant Hill, there's some real AARP potential on the Heat squad.
When competing for a title, veteran presences are valuable, but the Heat already have more than enough of those.
I'm not saying that Hill's time as a productive NBA players is over, because it's not. His remaining productivity should just be spent with a different team.
Hill remains an elite defender and has enough spring left in his legs to provide some scoring punch off the bench, but his value to the Heat is minimal because they already have other players who can make the same contributions.
Battier is still a solid defender while Lewis can still score.
At some point, the Heat have to commit roster spots to young players with potential. Sign players off the Summer League squad and hope they develop. Hill, Battier, Allen and Lewis will all be retiring sooner rather than later. Someone has to take over their roles in the future.
Miami already has enough players contributing to the rotation. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, Battier, Allen, Lewis, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller already make 10 players that should be able to earn playing time.
Hill's presence would look good on paper, but not on the court.
