Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill was acquired by the team through trade that sent Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets. At the time it was uncertainty about how Hill will fair with the Lakers, but now all those doubts have since been removed.
Fortunately, the trade turned out to be another smart move by GM Mitch Kupchak as it became clear late in the regular season and throughout the playoffs that Hill was a valuable asset off the bench for the Lakers.
Despite leaving a good impression on the Lakers organization and its fans, the up-and-coming forward was hit with an assault charge by a former girlfriend and was facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the crime.
Hill was able to play during the Lakers playoff run last season, but his fate was up in the air with a lot of uncertainty surrounding his future.
Hill's attorney, Rusty Hardin Jr., spoke with Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times about his client's legal situation and claims to be working on getting some resolution before training camp opens for the Lakers on Oct. 2:
"I hope within the next week or two we can get something done," attorney Rusty Hardin Jr. said in a telephone interview.
"There's not going to be a trial during the season," Hardin said, "not because he's a [pro] basketball player but because of the normal progression of the trial setting. It would be sometime next year."
With no trial until next year, Hill will be given the opportunity to focus on his role with the Lakers. He will most likely see a lot of time on the floor in the beginning of the season with the absence of Dwight Howard, who says he won't get back on the floor until he feels 100 percent.
