Source: Wife Will Sway Grant Hill to Sign With Knicks

Not many free agents in any sport elect to play in New York because of "family reasons.''

According to a source, it looks like Grant Hill will.

Hill, the 36-year-old small forward, is leaning toward accepting an offer from the Knicks instead of the Boston Celtics or Phoenix Suns on Thursday, and a major reason is his wife Tamia, a national recording artist who would benefit greatly from him playing in New York.

Although the Celtics would give him a much greater chance at winning a championship, they are offering considerably less money and playing time. The Suns don't have the kind of money he wants, either, but they do have the playing time and the reward of playing alongside point guard Steve Nash.

The Knicks, owned by media giant Cablevision, have been aggressively pushing the way it would help his post-basketball aspirations, a more lucrative contract now, and the way it would propel his wife's singing career.

"The Knicks aren't ready to win yet, but they have things that no one else can offer him. And that's going to mean a lot,'' said a source close to the negotiations.

The Knicks have given Hill a choice of either a one-year contract for $5 million, or a three-year deal worth $10 million. He would become their starting small forward, expected to provide leadership that could help change the culture to help attract LeBron James next summer.

The Suns, where he played the last two seasons, are offering a two-year deal worth an estimated $4 million, just slightly more than the Celtics are offering him.

With the Celtics, he would play only a reserve role behind Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, although he would be playing on the best team of his career. Hill never has played for a team that advanced past the first round of the playoffs.

Although being part of a winner with the Celtics sounds nice, winning a championship in a minor role wouldn't exactly help his legacy. Hill, remember, missed what should have been the best five years of his career while battling serious ankle problems in Orlando.

If he plays a major role with the Knicks this season and helps convince James to join him next year, it would validate his comeback. And as anyone with a good marriage can attest, keeping his wife happy would make life a lot easier.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-09-2009 @ 11:54AM

rosiebrook said...

Probably not materially innaccurate,but credibility suffers when factsarewrong.Doesn't Cablevision,not Time Warner,own the Knicks?

7-09-2009 @ 12:08PM

Rich Cantwell said...

This news is kind of ironic because Alan Houston supposedly is the assistant GM in training (no qualifications whatsoever). Hill was reportedly very upset that Houston mis-led him. Telling him he intended to stay in Detroit & try for a ring when they were both in their prime. Meanwhile we (Knicks) keep getting older and softer. I am not satisfied with Walsh being better than Isaiah, and am beginning to wonder if he has lost touch with what it takes to win in the NBA. After all he never actually won anything.

Randy said...

Yes, very good catch rb. Post has been edited. Thank you.

-randy

7-09-2009 @ 12:30PM

Mr.G said...

Does anybody really think James would be going to NY because they have Grant Hill? How desperate can you guys get with this LeBron to NY crap?That's pathetic.

7-09-2009 @ 12:47PM

mercuriojoe said...

The knicks over the celtics? are you serious!

7-09-2009 @ 1:46PM

grahambam007 said...

I know really. What an idiot.

7-09-2009 @ 12:48PM

papam11 said...

NY because the wife wants it? You're kidding, right? Let her go out and play for a loser. Sounds a bit selfish to me. If he's the major breadwinner and has but a couple of years left, he should be the one to decide how he'll spend it, not her. I know I'd tell my wife, this is where I'm going. Wanna come--fine. If not, I'll catcha later. Guys are too afraid of the "little woman" and shouldn't be. They shouldn't always be the one to compromise.

7-09-2009 @ 9:11PM

flicker575 said...

Oh come on. The Knicks are offering him a much better financial incentive and more playing time and probably more of a leadership take-charge role. The article also implies he has post-basketball aspirations; these might be better served if he plays in NYC. Actually, it stinks for this article (and/or for Grant's "people") to imply that going to the Knicks is his wife's idea, when CLEARLY there are other reasons, like $$$$$, that are driving him there. Take responsibility for your decision, Grant, and don't make her out to be the bad guy.

Mark said...

If James goes to NY he throws away any chance of getting one title, much less multiple titles. As far as Hill goes, seems to be a decent guy and would like to see him get a ring but if he's going to NY to benefit his wife then there certainly isn't anything wrong with that.

7-09-2009 @ 12:58PM

pjkelnhofer said...

I think if he had good marriage his wife would let him play in Boston. My guess is that he has a better chance of winning a title with the C's than she does of cutting a gold record while he languishes with the Knickerbockers.

7-09-2009 @ 1:00PM

kore4life95 said...

Legacy? What legacy do he have? The dude better grab that ring while he can

8-27-2009 @ 10:30AM

diamond1846 said...

Antonio? I have been trying to get into contact with you for years now. This is Nicole, hopefully you remember me because I will never forget about you. Your prolly married by now but congrats to the wifey if you are. If not drop me a line diamond1846@aol.com or call 4133297639.

7-09-2009 @ 1:52PM

caninescreed said...

Well if advancing his wifes career is his main motivation for picking a tem, why would a contender want him? don't you need players that are motivated by winning? Not record sales?

7-09-2009 @ 2:21PM

ptcards said...

that's it grant, take the offer from the worst team because you wife says so, what a competitor you must be, guess a championship doesn't matter to you at all......what a loser!

7-09-2009 @ 2:26PM

hulk411 said...

are u kidding me this guy has played 100 years in the league and he has a chance to win a championship and hes gonna play for the knicks. what a joke i would just tell him to go to hell we dont need him just for thinking about it. danny get someone else

7-09-2009 @ 2:33PM

bigshawn25 said...

Tamia's career has been over for years. When was last time she had a hit.

7-09-2009 @ 3:29PM

FLOW said...

Obviously this is'nt a basketball decision and more of a business decision. The Knicks want to pay him twice as much and he'll probably play more.And if Lebron goes to the Knicks, it could work out. I guess some guys just don't care about winning a championship.

7-09-2009 @ 4:10PM

claytor said...

Lmao, wow..

I remember when Walton, in a position very similar to Hills now, settled for a reserve role in an effort to win a ring in Boston. Thats playing for the love of the game. Giving up minutes and personal glory to be a champion?

Hill cant get over either one, and hes not exactly young to boot. Does this guy honestly believe hes the one that will make Lebron say to himself "wow, i MUST go to New York for a chance to play next to...GRANT HILL!" Dont they play the same positions?!?!? Is Grant going to demand Bron play reserve?!?!

Loser.

7-09-2009 @ 4:40PM

Q said...

I guess he isn't in it to win it. He just wants the paycheck and a happy wife. I bet she told him if he didn't pick NY, then he wouldn't be "taking it to the hole" anymore.