Rip Hamilton eyeing NBA opportunities, training for comeback

The former Pistons star tells CBS Sports he's training for an NBA comeback

With the deluge of money flooding free agency this summer, several notable former NBA players have expressed interest in making a comeback. Like Ray Allen, who has been rumored to be making a comeback for quite some time now. But it's not merely Allen.

Stephen Jackson is hoping to try out for the Golden State Warriors and three-time All-Star Richard Hamilton is also attempting a comeback.

Hamilton told CBS Sports he had his agent put out feelers to several teams and he is planning on training hard for the next 30 days. If his body holds up during that time period, Hamilton is going to actually attempt a comeback.

"I'm giving myself thirty days where I am really hitting the gym." Hamilton said. "I'm working on my game. I'm in the weight room. I'm running my two, three miles a day. And I'm trying to see if my body can hold up. If my body can hold up after these thirty days, I will be making a comeback."

In his prime, Hamilton was one of the best shooting guards in the league, able to slice through the lane and run off screens to knock down jumpers. He was instrumental in the success of the Detroit Pistons during the mid-2000s and helped them win an NBA championship in 2004.

But Hamilton is 38 years old and hasn't played in the NBA since 2013, when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls. Hamilton was productive in his final season, though, averaging 9.8 points on 42.9 percent shooting in 21.8 minutes a game. If he can approximate that same level of production while also providing his veteran savvy, Hamilton could be a nice pickup for a number of younger teams or even a contender.

But being out of the league for the past couple of years is a serious hurdle for Hamilton, which he is well aware of. That's why Hamilton will make a comeback only if it is the right situation.

"If I get the opportunity where I can come in and earn my minutes," Hamilton said. "I think that I will be able to make an impact on someone's NBA team."

Hamilton also added that one reason he wants to make a comeback is because of his kids and the chance to win another championship.

"I'm actually doing it for [my kids] and for myself, too, to get an opportunity to make one more run at it," Hamilton said. "And if there's an opportunity, where I could go out and win another championship, I'm all for it."