Los Angeles Lakers announce official signing of big man Jordan Hill

Only hours after holding a press conference for newcomer Ed Davis, Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has also signed scrappy forward/center Jordan Hill to a multi-year contract. Other outlets have reported that the deal is worth $18 million over two years, with a team option after the first season.

Hill is projected to be the team's starting center.

“Jordan has been a consistent contributor for us over the last three seasons and we are pleased to keep him in the Laker family,” said Kupchak. “Jordan’s frontcourt versatility is a benefit to our roster and his on-court work ethic is something we value on our team. We hope he’ll continue to work hard and develop as an NBA player.”

Hill's hustle, energy, and activity was an asset on defense and on the glass last year.  Although the Lakers arguably paid a bit too much for Hill on the open market, the short term nature of the contract, coupled with the team's option at the end of the first year, gives the Lakers significant flexibility if cap space is needed next offseason.

Moreover, with Pau Gasol declining to re-sign with team, LA desperately needed another big, and therefore, was willing to pay a bit more to keep the 6'10" Hill.

Hill had the best season of his NBA career in 2013-14, his third with the Lakers since being acquired at the trade deadline in March of 2012, averaging career-highs across-the-board in points (9.7), rebounds (7.4), and blocks (0.9) per game while shooting a personal-best 54.9% from the field in 32 starts.

Known more for his defense and rebounding, Hill also has demonstrated that he can occasionally score with his decent mid-range jumper and solid jump hook in the paint.

The 26-year-old finished 3rd in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage (13.8), 9th in total rebounding percentage (19.0), and 20th in defensive rebounding percentage (24.3) in his 20.8 minutes per game.

Selected by the Knicks with the eighth pick in the in the 2009 NBA Draft, Hill played 24 games in New York before being traded to the Houston in a three-way deal involving Sacramento in February 2010. Hill, the second-longest tenured Laker (Kobe Bryant), was dealt to the Lakers in exchange for Derek Fisher and a 2014 first round draft pick on March 15, 2012.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services