Hill and Jamison head to Lakerland

Jordan Hill has signed a two-year extension to his Los Angeles Lakers contract while the team await Antawn Jamison’s return to the United States to finalise his deal.

Following the addition of Steve Nash last week Lakerland has been in a state of hysteria and with the addition of Jamison and Hill, excitement is about to hit a new level.

Hill, a 6-foot-10 power-forward, has put pen to paper on an $8 million contract in order to link up with Steve Nash as LA prepares to challenge for an NBA ring.

According to reports, the eighth-round pick in the 2009 NBA draft was being heavily perused by the Minnesota Timberwolves but chose to stay and contend for a title with the Lakers.

“Jordan is excited to play with Steve Nash and has the utmost respect for Kobe Bryant,” his agent Kevin Bradbury said. “With Mitch Kupchak and Mike Brown taking a chance on him last year at the trade deadline, he feels he has some unfinished business with the Lakers and can’t wait to compete for a championship.”

Hill was traded to the purple and gold last season on the deadline day in exchange for Derek Fisher, who was eventually released before signing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After sitting out the first chapter of his Lakers career as he recuperated from an MCL sprain in his right knee, the former New York Knick impressed in the final game of the regular season, tallying a stat line that included 14 points and 15 rebounds in a double-OT win over the OKC.

He continued his solid form into the playoffs as well, as the back-up big-man averaged 4.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in 12 post-season outings.

While Hill is not the most skilled player, nor is his efficiency all that great, LA has kept hold of a badly needed member of their bench rotation.

What he brings to the team is a ton of athleticism, energy and a defensive presence while Bynum is not playing, while his link-up with Nash is a combination that is sure to cause many problems.

The other business surrounding LA (excluding any Dwight Howard talk) is Jamison’s decision to agree a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers as he attempts to win his first career NBA ring.

The 6-foot-9 forward is currently on holiday in Italy but upon his return is expected to sign the contract once formalities are straightened out with the Lakers management.

The 36-year-old forward will sign for the veteran’s minimum salary after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to become a free-agent last week, adding another of Kobe Bryant’s fiercest league rivals to LA’s dressing room.

The former fourth-round pick in the NBA Draft, Jamison had a number of other teams interested in his services including his hometown Charlotte Bobcats, the Brooklyn Nets and the Golden State Warriors.

Throughout his career Jamison has often found himself the best player on a bad team and, after a 14-year career in which he has never advanced beyond the conference finals, the chance to fight for a title in Los Angeles was his number one choice.

Joining the purple and gold will give Jamison a chance to reunite with Mike Brown, who coached the Cavaliers when he was traded to Cleveland in 2010.

Although he is unlikely to find a position in coach Brown’s starting five, his offensive ability will give the Lakers bench a boost.

The LA bench was heavily criticised last season for its inability to put numbers on the board with Matt Barnes topping the bench scorers with an average of 7.8 points per game.

While Jamison has regularly been criticised for his defensive play on the court, his offensive ability has never been in doubt and with a career average of 19.5 points per game, LA’s backups are about to get a boost.

As negotiations between the Orland Magic and the Lakers are ongoing in regards to a possible trade involving Dwight Howard, Lakerland is bursting at the seams and if Kupchak and co. are able to work a trade for DH12, the city may well explode with excitement.