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Securing his release from the Sixers by next Saturday undoubtedly appeals to Granger, who is said to be miffed about the manner in which he was exiled from Indiana and is understandably intrigued by the possibility of signing with an Oklahoma City or a San Antonio or a Memphis -- or maybe even a Miami -- if he becomes a free agent.
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Phoenix is an interesting option for a Granger buyout if you believe in the mystical powers of the Suns' athletic training stuff and what they might be able to do to get Granger's body right. Ditto for the Dallas Mavericks, who possess an equally adept training team, only without getting any semblance of the Phoenix fanfare. The Clippers, meanwhile, would naturally be at the top of Granger's own list, since he's an L.A. resident, but there's a sense out there that Doc Rivers and Big Baby Davis essentially already have an understanding that will bring Davis to Clipperland as soon as he clears waivers next week.

LACtdom wrote:The good thing the Clippers have is that we can offer Granger a starting spot whereas MIA and SAS probably won't. However it depends what he wants more; a ring or PT.

Nine years ago, Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird drafted Danny Granger, who would become one of his most beloved players. But on Thursday afternoon, Bird needed to make a quick decision regarding the future of his "favorite."
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Though Bird recalled this story in his regular matter-of-fact tone, he couldn't help but express some emotion about the departure of the 30-year-old Granger, who helped carry through the dark days after the brawl, several losing seasons and finally the dawn of the Paul George era...

"It's just a tough deal," Bird said. "Danny's always been my favorite. I understand the disappointment. A lot of people say that I've been trying to trade him for a year and I haven't been doing that. I even told Danny that. I did tell him if a great opportunity arises, you can't say you'll never trade somebody."
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Bird did not know if Granger's recovery from left knee surgery affected his jump shot – he made 36 percent through 29 games this season. While Bird empathizes with Granger needing time to recover, the move indicates that the Pacers do not have the luxury of time.

"My goal is to put the best team I possibly can out there right now," Bird said.

"Guys have knee injures and a lot of times it takes a full year. He was out a full year. I was out a full year one time. I know how hard it is to come back but we felt we (could) get a young kid at 25 years old and plays multiple positions and does a little bit of everything, it's just a better fit right now for what we're trying to do."

The connection between George and Granger goes deep. The two worked out together during George's pre-draft process. They share the same agent, Aaron Mintz, partially because the he dropped Granger's name in the pitch so that George could picture himself having the same success. Also, Granger advised Bird to take George with the 10th pick in the 2010 draft. As fate would have it, the move meant that Granger was campaigning for his replacement. However, even as George ascended, he said that their relationship remained tight.
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Coach Frank Vogel smiled and chuckled to himself when asked how Granger had helped the Pacers. Granger might have averaged 17.6 points through his nine-year career but Vogel knows better than most that the numbers do not show how deep Granger's impact went.

"I'm probably not the coach of this team if not for Danny Granger," Vogel said. "I want to thank him publicly for being my biggest supporter when (I was) the interim coach here and trying to turn that team around back then and obviously trying to earn a job. To have your best player be your strongest supporter is something I'll always be grateful for with Danny."

Wammy Giveaway wrote:That above, what Larry Bird did, is guts. Sometimes, the only way you can win is you have to give up the greatest thing that's dear to you, and for the Pacers, it's Danny Granger. Clips will have to realize this down the road. One day, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and/or Doc Rivers will be gone. I know their hearts are in the right place, but nothing lasts forever. Can the franchise keep a cool head when that untimely day comes?

SuperNova854 wrote:

LACtdom wrote:The good thing the Clippers have is that we can offer Granger a starting spot whereas MIA and SAS probably won't. However it depends what he wants more; a ring or PT.

You saying we can't get him a ring? Shame on you.

TheNewEra wrote:Wish they would hurry up and do buyout so he can clear waivers.

Danny Granger, 30, acquired by Philadelphia, reportedly wants a buyout so he can sign with the Heat or a Western Conference contender, and Caron Butler, 33, also will welcome Heat overtures if he gets a buyout from Milwaukee, as many expect. (It's too early to tell if Granger will get the buyout.)

So who would be better for Miami? Heat players would clearly prefer Butler; he and Dwyane Wade are close from their days as Heat teammates, and Granger irritated the Heat’s stars by getting in their faces after fouls in the 2012 playoffs. At the time, LeBron James called Granger’s conduct “stupid.”

Granger, 6-8, is shooting just 35.9 percent; Butler, 6-7, is shooting only 38.7 percent. But players guarded by Granger are shooting 30.9 percent, compared with 47 percent for Butler.

“They’re very comparable,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “Granger is better off the ball, Butler a little tougher.” The scout said Granger has lost a step, but Butler isn't clearly better, and the scout would lean toward Granger for Miami because the Heat could pick his brain on Pacers’ personnel and tendencies, adding “that definitely has value beyond what you get studying film.”