If you were watching basketball in the late 90s, you knew the deal. Grant Hill wasn't just another draft pick; he was "The Next Jordan." That’s a heavy tag to carry around, but for a while, he actually looked like he might live up to it. People often ask, who did Grant Hill play for, usually because his career felt like two entirely different lifetimes. One life was as a superstar point-forward who could do everything; the other was as a gritty, veteran survivor who refused to let a crumbling ankle end his dream.
Most fans remember the Detroit years or the tragic "what-if" era in Orlando. But Hill’s journey spanned nearly two decades and four different NBA franchises. Honestly, the fact that he played 19 seasons after what his body went through is nothing short of a miracle.
The Detroit Years: When He Was the Best in the World
Grant Hill started his professional journey with the Detroit Pistons. They took him third overall in the 1994 NBA Draft. If you look back at the 1994-95 season, the impact was instant. He didn't just play well; he dominated. He ended up sharing Rookie of the Year honors with Jason Kidd, but Hill was the one who captured the imagination of the casual fan.
He was the first rookie in any major American sport to lead All-Star fan voting. Think about that for a second. He beat out Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jordan (who was briefly retired but still on the ballot) in popularity.
In Detroit, Hill was a "point-forward" before that was a trendy term. He led the Pistons in points, rebounds, and assists multiple times. Between 1994 and 2000, he was a perennial All-Star and an All-NBA First Team selection. He was putting up numbers like 21.4 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists a night. He was the engine. But then came the 2000 playoffs. He tried to play through a broken bone in his ankle against Miami, and everything changed.
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The Orlando Magic and the "What-If" Era
In the summer of 2000, Hill was part of a massive sign-and-trade that sent him to the Orlando Magic. The plan was to pair him with a young Tracy McGrady to create a dynasty in Florida. On paper, it was a cheat code. In reality, it was a nightmare.
For most of his seven seasons in Orlando, the answer to "who did Grant Hill play for" was essentially "the training staff." He played just four games in his first season. Then 14. Then 29. He missed the entire 2003-04 season.
It wasn't just a "bad ankle." It was a life-threatening situation. Following one of his many surgeries, he contracted a staph infection (MRSA) that nearly killed him. He had a fever of 104.5 degrees and spent weeks on an IV. Most guys would have retired. But Grant Hill is different. He finally had a healthy-ish season in 2004-05, making the All-Star team one last time as a "thank you" from fans who loved his resilience.
Resurrection in the Desert: The Phoenix Suns
By 2007, Grant Hill was 34 years old. Most experts thought he was done. Instead, he signed with the Phoenix Suns, a move that saved the back half of his career.
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Why Phoenix? Their medical staff was legendary. They were known for extending the careers of aging stars, and they did exactly that for Hill. He stayed there for five seasons (2007–2012). Surprisingly, he became an "ironman." In the 2008-09 season, he played all 82 games.
He wasn't the 25-point-per-game scorer anymore. He adapted. He became a lockdown defender and a high-IQ veteran who could hit the open mid-range jumper. He helped Steve Nash and the Suns reach the Western Conference Finals in 2010. It was the deepest playoff run of his life, and he did it as a 37-year-old starter.
The Final Act: Los Angeles Clippers
The very last stop on the list of teams Grant Hill played for was the Los Angeles Clippers. He signed there for the 2012-13 season to join "Lob City" with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Unfortunately, the injury bug returned one last time. A bone bruise in his knee kept him out for much of the season. He played only 29 games in a limited role. On June 1, 2013, he finally called it a career. He retired with over 17,000 points and a legacy that was eventually cemented with a first-ballot induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Grant Hill’s Career Team Summary
- Detroit Pistons (1994–2000): The superstar "Next Jordan" phase.
- Orlando Magic (2000–2007): The injury-plagued "What-if" years.
- Phoenix Suns (2007–2012): The veteran "Ironman" resurrection.
- Los Angeles Clippers (2012–2013): The final curtain call.
Why Grant Hill’s Story Matters Today
When you look at guys like LeBron James playing into their 40s, it’s easy to forget how much of a pioneer Grant Hill was in terms of career longevity through adversity. He proved that you could lose your vertical leap and still be a winning basketball player.
He didn't just play for four NBA teams; he also won two NCAA championships at Duke University (1991, 1992) and an Olympic Gold Medal with the 1996 "Dream Team II." Today, he stays close to the game as a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks and a broadcaster.
If you want to truly appreciate his career, don't just look at the stats. Look at the gap between 2000 and 2004. Look at the grit it takes to go from being the most popular player in the league to sitting in a hospital bed with a life-threatening infection, only to come back and play 82 games a year in your late 30s.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you want to see Grant Hill at his peak, go to YouTube and search for his 1997 highlights against the Lakers or Bulls. You’ll see a player who was essentially LeBron James before LeBron James existed—a 6'8" freight train who could pass like a point guard and finish over anyone.
For those interested in the business side of the sport, keep an eye on his work with the Atlanta Hawks. He’s one of the few former players who has successfully transitioned into the highest levels of NBA ownership and management, proving his "basketball IQ" wasn't just limited to the court.