Lakers Rumors: Signing Free Agent Grant Hill Is an Avenue Worth Pursuing

Free agent Grant Hill would be a solid fit for the Los Angeles Lakers entering the 2011-12 NBA season.

While there's no question that the Lakers need to get younger, the team should be exploring every opportunity to upgrade while the championship window is still open.

The small forward situation isn't exactly ideal for the team.

Los Angeles has an inconsistent Metta World Peace as the starter, Matt Barnes, who is coming off a very disappointing first season with the club, serving as his reserve and an oft-injured, seldom-used Luke Walton behind him.

In other words, it isn't pretty.

There's no question the Lakers could use help at the position, especially considering how greatly the trio struggled last season.

Although there have been some rumblings that the franchise could look to use the amnesty clause on World Peace, that's a plan for the back burner right now, as it just doesn't make sense to hand him walking papers without seeing if he can rebound.

As for how Hill fits into the picture, there isn't going to be a more coveted 39-year-old player on the open market.

Phoenix will definitely be on the hunt to re-sign Hill, and although he enjoys playing in the desert alongside Steve Nash, it's possible that he could look to join a contender in the hopes of finally securing a championship ring.

Alan Hahn of Newsday reports that while the New York Knicks have the veteran on the radar, the Lakers have expressed interest in his services as well.

After struggling with injury problems during the prime of his career, Hill has missed just three regular-season games combined over the last three seasons.

In other words, durability is no longer an issue for this veteran, who is still showing that he's a very valuable contributor in the league.

He started 80 games for the Suns last season and averaged 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, but perhaps the most impressive and appealing part of his attack (for the Lakers) is his ability to hit the deep ball on a consistent basis.

Los Angeles struggled last season from beyond the arc, as the team made just over 35 percent of shots from distance, good for 17th overall in the league.

Hill would certainly help improve that after shooting 39.5 percent from three-point land, and the Lakers need to find a way to stretch the floor with better efficiency than last season if this team is going to make a legitimate playoff push in an improving Western Conference.

While he wouldn't solve the issues the Lakers endured last season on his own, he would certainly make for an excellent addition to the team, as Los Angeles just can't afford to bank on the current talent at the position on the roster at this time.

He's certainly one of the more intriguing options available for a team poised to make a run at a championship right now.