Jordan Hill cleared to play for the Lakers

Finally, Jordan Hill can put on his uniform.

Whether he actually plays when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz Sunday at Staples Center remains another issue. Lakers Coach Mike Brown provided no guarantees Hill would receive any minutes and indicated that he remains behind Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy in the power-forward depth chart. Murphy averages 3.4 points on 44.1% shooting in 18.2 minutes per game, while McRoberts averages 2.2 points on 53.1% shooting in 11.8 minutes per game.

“If I think he can move in front of them, I’ll put him in a game,” Brown said of Hill. “Or if we’re getting our behind kicked or kicking somebody’s behind, I’ll put him in. I’m just not going to put him in front of somebody like I put Ramon in front of Darius. It’s not the same case.”

Hill, whom the Lakers acquired from the Houston Rockets for Derek Fisher, averaged five points and 4.8 rebounds with the Rockets. Houston Coach Kevin McHale gave Hill rave reviews during training camp and planned to start him at center until the Rockets signed Samuel Dalembert before the 2011-12 season started. Brown said he’s unsure if Hill can play minutes at the center spot.

Here’s how Hill outlined his role.

“Just a high-energy guy, rebound, run the floor, defend,” said Hill, who said he went to prep school with Lakers forward Devin Ebanks. “I’m going to do the tough-guy role. I love it. It’s what I do.

We’ll soon see to what degree, if any, Hill will have a chance to provide that for the Lakers.