By: Martin Rand, III
Date: June 3, 2013
The Indiana Pacers are currently playing in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. By forcing the defending NBA champs, and already two-time Eastern Conference Champs, Miami Heat to a game seven, they have shocked the world.
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| Danny Granger (33) would be a hot commodity on the trade market. Will the Pacers make the move? (Photo credit:cbssports.com) |
Probably the biggest shock is that the Pacers are doing this without its best player: All-Star Danny Granger.
The 6'8" small-forward, who sometimes plays power-forward, was drafted in the 2005 NBA Draft. He was voted to the All-NBA Rookie 2nd Team, the 2009 East All-Star Team and won NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2009.
From 2009-12, he has averaged about 22 ppg and 5 rpg, while shooting 43% from the field and 38% from the 3PT line.
However, due to a left knee injury, he's only played in 5 games this season. He turned 30 in April and is set to make $14 million next season on an expiring contract.
All the reasons why the Pacers should trade him this off-season.
It's not that Granger can't comeback from his injury and return to his all-star form (Heat's Dwyane Wade had a similar injury in May 2007 and then lead the league in scoring in 2008); but, with Paul George, who essentially plays the same position as Granger, emerging as an all-star in 2013, why not, trade him and strengthen the bench for next season.
George just turned 23 in May. Only his third year in the league, his ppg, apg, rpg and spg have all increased each year since he was a rookie. If his incremental trend keeps up, he'll average approximately 22 ppg, 9 rpg, 7 apg and 2 spg in the 2013-14 season.
He's set to be a restricted free-agent after next season; but after a season like this, the Pacers will definitely sign him to an extension.
Plus, Lance Stephenson, who enters the last year of his deal next season, has overcame his shame from last year's playoffs and seems like a capable starting shooting-guard. He's only 22 and has shown tremendous upside.
With George and Stephenson anchoring these positions, there's no room Granger.
Granger's expiring contract should draw a lot of attention for teams wanting some cap relief in the 2014 off-season. A team like the Boston Celtics, that are obviously going into rebuilding mode, have some assets the Pacers would like and could probably pull off a trade.
If the Pacers make into the NBA Finals tonight, it would've been on the backs of George and center Roy Hibbert, who has blossomed into one of the best big men in the league. This combination should make for a great dynamic-duo for years to come.
Pacers management should do themselves a favor by trading Granger, while he still has some value, to sure up the bench for next season and the foreseeable future.
This way, they won't just make a title run this year but be a title contender down the road as well.
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