Report: Lakers decline 2015-16 option on Jordan Hill

The Los Angeles Lakers were not fooled by the looter in their own in-house riot.

Jordan Hill put up the best numbers of his careers in 2014-15, finding himself with more minutes and a larger offensive role than ever before. That wasn't due to skill development so much as the Lakers being a woefully thin, offensively inept, 21-win team - and it wasn't the worst situation for an impending free agent or a player with a team option, as Hill's numbers have likely inflated his market value.

Despite the strong numbers, the Lakers have declined their 2015-16 option on Hill's contract, according to Shams Charania of RealGM.

The $9-million option year on Hill's deal was always thought unlikely to be picked up. It's a nice piece of flexibility to have (and the Lakers overpaid Hill with $9 million this season to get that flexibility), but Hill is far from a $9-million player.

In 70 games, the 27-year-old averaged 12 points and 7.9 rebounds, shooting 45.9 percent from the floor. Without great defensive chops, rim protection, or the ability to space the floor, Hill's best suited as a high-energy reserve big rather than a full-time starter. He's a great offensive rebounder and a good finisher at the rim, but he doesn't possess a great face-up game, and he's more hustle than talent on defense.

There's a place for players like Hill, and he'll have a market, to be sure. It just didn't make sense for the Lakers, awash in cap space, to tie up money by overpaying a role player they like.