Report: 'Distinct possibility' Lakers exercise team option on Jordan Hill

It wasn't always their intention, but given how things have transpired for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team's plans for Jordan Hill have apparently changed.

Sean Deveney of the Sporting News reports:

Though the assumption when Jordan Hill signed a two-year deal worth $18 million last summer was that the Lakers would deal him by the trade deadline and that the second year of his contract (a team option) would not be exercised, sources have said all year that there is a distinct possibility the Lakers will, in fact, keep Hill going forward.

The change in directive likely speaks to two motivating factors.

First, Hill's played quite well this season: he's posting career highs in points, rebounds, assists and minutes, and is still fairly young at 27. While his shooting percentage has gone down, much of that has to do with a change in offensive scheme and what looks to be a concerted effort to develop a midrange shot.

The second factor is that the Lakers might be losing faith in their ability to find a better alternative in free agency. Hill's $9-million price tag is rather steep, but the Lakers have a wealth of cap space and might not need to part with Hill to generate additional payroll flexibility.