Jordan Hill has a celebrated lawyer defending him in assault case

Jordan Hill has not picked a team for next season, but the unrestricted free agent has already selected one of the most high-powered attorneys in the sports world: Rusty Hardin Jr.

The Houston-based lawyer successfully represented Roger Clemens in his perjury trial and is defending Adrian Peterson against allegations that the Minnesota Vikings running back shoved a police officer at a nightclub.

Hardin is scheduled to appear in a Houston courtroom Tuesday to represent Hill, the Lakers power forward who faces third-degree felony assault charges after allegedly choking a former girlfriend in February when Hill played for the Houston Rockets.

Hardin told The Times that the court date would involve an exchange of information “for everyone to assess their positions on the case and see where we go from here.�

If the case proceeds to trial, Hardin said, he would try to set the date “as quickly as we could� so that it could be be held before next season. Hardin said he anticipated a trial would last three days.

Of course, Hill and his attorney hope a trial is not necessary. If convicted, Hill would face up to 10 years in prison.

“He feels like he didn’t do anything wrong,� Hardin said. “He wants to get it behind him.�

Hill’s playing future is also unsettled. The Lakers would like him back after a strong late-season surge, but only at the right price. The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the other suitors for Hill.

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