Danny Granger continues to find his name in trade rumors. (Getty) |
FoxSportsFlorida.com reports that Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Danny Granger -- who has found his name in trade rumors for years -- doesn't think he will move before Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline, but he's not totally sure either.
"You don't know with the NBA. Trades can always happen. Sometimes they're expected, sometimes they're not expected. So you just got to play on."All indications would seem to make Indiana a buyer rather than a seller prior to Thursday, and any trade involving Granger, their leading scorer, would almost certainly have to be a sale. Granger is a tier star with 2+ years left on his deal; he's not capable of bringing back a star talent by himself. And while Indiana is loaded with young pieces to package with him, those pieces are good and cheap and the Pacers surely recognize they are better off keeping those pieces together.
Granger isn't anticipating being dealt. He figures if that were the case, Indiana president Larry Bird would have said something to him.
"Probably not going to happen," Granger said. "But who knows? You never know what can happen."
Meanwhile, Indiana is currently sitting in the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 23-16. Their .590 winning percentage is better than any winning percentage the franchise has had since a 61-win season in 2003-2004 that ended with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. They've made the playoffs one time in the previous five seasons. Why now, of all times, to shake up a good thing?
Of course Indiana also has eight digits worth of cap space to add a piece for a playoff run, ideally one on an expiring contract, and still maintain flexibility heading into 2012 summer free agency.
Put it all together and there's virtually no reasonable scenario that sees Granger on the move by Thursday. His express uncertainty is par for the course in the NBA but this is one time and place where a little reassurance from management might not be the worst idea.