The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired
Jordan Hill from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Derek Fisher, it was
announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. In addition, Houston
will receive the Dallas Mavericks’ protected first round selection in the 2012
NBA Draft that was acquired by the Lakers earlier this season in exchange for
Lamar Odom.
A
6-10 forward/center in his third year out of the University Arizona, Hill was
originally selected by the New York Knicks with the eighth overall pick in the
2009 NBA Draft. Acquired by Houston as part of a three-team, nine-player
trade midway through his rookie campaign, Hill has appeared in 151 career NBA
games (18 starts) with the Knicks and Rockets, averaging 5.4 points and 4.2
rebounds in 14.7 minutes.
Following
a junior season at Arizona in which he averaged 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds
and was named Third Team All-America by the Sporting News, Hill declared
for the NBA Draft, leaving the Wildcats ranked among the school’s career
leaders in points (27th/1,208), rebounds (10th/763), blocks (6th/140) and field
goal percentage (.578).
In
32 games (7 starts) with the Rockets this season, Hill is averaging 5.0 points
on 50.4 percent shooting from the field and 4.8 rebounds in 14.7 minutes.
Fisher,
a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, ranks among franchise leaders in
games played (5th/915), steals (7th/968), three-point field goals made
(2nd/846) and three-point field goal percentage (2nd/.375). Becoming just
the 308th player in NBA history to score 10,000 career points on March 13 at
Memphis, Fisher has played in 538 consecutive NBA games including 416
consecutive starts, both tops among all active players.
“I
want to express my deepest gratitude to Derek for everything he has meant to
this organization over the years,” said Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss. “Few
who have worn the Lakers uniform have done so with as much class as Derek, both
on the court and in the community. From his famous 0.4 shot in San
Antonio to his clutch performances in the Finals against Orlando and Boston
when it mattered most, Derek will always hold a special place not only in my
heart, but in the heart of Lakers fans everywhere.”
