NBA Free Agents 2011: Grant Hill Leaving Phoenix Would Be Horrible for Suns

Here is one that I didn't see coming a few years ago: Grant Hill is a free agent, and there are a few NBA teams that would love to have him. However, there is only one that absolutely needs to have him. 

Hill has seen a resurgence during his time in Phoenix. It would be a shame to see him leave the place that proved he had a tremendous amount left in the tank. Not only does he matter in a Suns jersey, he is also wanted by other Suns stars.

Steve Nash has made no secret that he wants Hill to return to the Suns. The front office would do well to mind just about anything that Nash deems worthy of wanting. He told the Arizona Republic the following on his good friend:

"

I'm very hopeful Grant will be back. It's very, very important to me that he is back personally. I think he is very important to the team and community. I think that, all things being even, Grant would want to come back here. I'm sure he's going to be highly coveted by a lot of teams. Phoenix will have to really make him a great offer and put him in a position where he can't say no to coming back.

"

The fact that Nash chose to go with two "verys" when one would suffice tells me that Nash's tenure in Phoenix is tied to whether he is allowed to run with Hill again.

NBA.com's David Aldridge stirred the pot when he declared that the market is wide open for Hill at the moment. He reports, "Hill has his free agent Final Four, according to sources: the incumbent Suns, the Clippers, the Bulls and the Knicks."

The Suns are simply better when Hill is on the floor to lead. He may be getting up there in years, but I am confident he still has a couple of productive seasons left in those legs. And if it helps appease Nash, opening the pocketbook is a no-brainer.

Suns beat writer Paul Coro gives one last note on the subject that should have Suns fans breathing easier. Here is a tweet of comfort.

It's clear that Hill is at ease in his role with the Suns. It's also evident that the player that should have retired after multiple injuries years ago has found new life in the desert.

He needs to re-sign with the Suns. That would be ideal for both player and team.