Top-ten free agent signings in Phoenix Suns history

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OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 of the Phoenix Suns react after a play against the Golden State Warriors on February 7, 2011 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Grant Hill

(22.6 WS / .100 WS per-48)

After losing all if not the majority of six seasons with the Orlando Magic, where Hill had signed a massive contract to pair up with Tracy McGrady, the Suns snagged him on a bargain deal hoping that their training staff could revive his dying career.

His return was the equivalent of an NBA miracle.

Hill became an integral role player for the Suns, playing small forward following the trade of Shawn Marion, and in his first four seasons, that included two playoff appearances and a trip to the Western Conference Finals, Hill missed a total of 15 games.

Grant Hill’s time with the Suns was one of rejuvenation. No longer the superstar that was compared to Michael Jordan as a younger player, Hill accepted and thrived in his role as the team’s third or fourth scorer. Averaging double-digit scoring in each season with the Suns, the age-less wonder remained a consistent scorer and defensive stopper straight until the end of his five seasons with the Suns, which ended when he was 39.

Hill’s Hall of Fame entrance can in large part be attributed to the wonders that the Suns medical staff worked on his body. Had he left the NBA instead of continuing his career out West, or had he played for another team and his injuries had remained persistent, there is no guarantee that he would have ever had genuine consideration. Had the consistency of his Phoenix years been missing, he may never have got the call to the Hall.

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