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Magic man Report: Grant Hill preparing to sign with Orlando
Posted: Tuesday July 04, 2000 10:21 AM
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Forward Grant Hill, who spent the first six years of his career in Detroit, is preparing to tell the Pistons later this week that he will join the Orlando Magic, The Orlando Sentinel reported Tuesday. Hill, a free agent, bypassed his flight home to Detroit on Monday so he and his wife could continue house-hunting in Central Florida, giving indications that he will sign a long-term contract next month with the Magic. Although NBA rules prohibit free agents from signing contracts until Aug. 1, two league sources told the Sentinel that Hill is preparing to let the Pistons know he will join the Magic next season. Orlando general manager John Gabriel said he knows nothing of the decision. Magic spokesman Joel Glass said no news conference was planned Tuesday. When asked Monday night outside his resort-area hotel, Hill only said that he and his wife, Tamia, had an enjoyable time in Orlando. They are expected to leave Tuesday. "It was hot. I can tell you that -- very hot," Hill said before getting into a limousine to go to dinner. "But I don't have much else I can say. I'd like to keep it to myself for now. Hope you understand. We'll talk about it later." Hill is expected to meet with Pistons officials later this week before announcing his decision to join the Magic. The Magic are offering Hill and free-agent forward Tim Duncan six-year deals worth $67.5 million, the most allowed under the collective-bargaining agreement. They can get seven-year, $86.5 million contracts if the Magic and their current teams agree to sign-and-trade proposals. During the past year, the Magic cleared an estimated $20 million of salary-cap space, enabling them to offer the maximum first-year salary of $9 million to two star players. The Magic entertained both players throughout the weekend. Duncan left Monday morning without commenting to the media. The Magic are hoping Hill can sway Duncan into signing with Orlando, which could radically alter the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. Hill is expected to sign, regardless of what Duncan decides. "I think they both enjoyed themselves here," Gabriel said. "They are two individuals who will make their decision on their own. It's hard for us to speculate on what helps a person make a decision."
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