What's up with Danny Granger?

[Jsun947]

He used to be one of my favorite players but really fell off lately. He's been on the IR like all year with a sore knee but haven't read much else. When is he coming back and what's the deal?

[Nuntius]

He's expected to return in February.

[Grang33r]

He's expected to return in February.

ESPN's Chad Ford was asked about Granger (and his injury) this morning, here is what he had to say- http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/46402

Yes. But the timing is tricky. Until Granger gets back and proves he's going to be healthy, his trade value is way too low. Of course, putting Granger back into the starting line-up may stunt George's phenomenal growth over the past month ... it's a tricky balancing act. But I fully expect that Granger probably isn't wearing a Pacers uniform by the start of next season.

Not the first time we heard this. Won't be the last. I'd have a hard time believing that Granger is dealt this season though, with his value being really low, as Ford mentions.

[Peezo]

Hey Twolves fan here, but I've always liked your squad too. Any update on when Granger is supposed to be back?

Any more talk on how likely you are to hold onto him or potentially move him?

Thanks!

[Moooose]

I really wouldn't be surprised if we deal him after this season, and with that I see the management playing him when he comes back to show the other teams that he's healthy.

When playing, he's got decent trade value. And with David West on his final year, i think going after a good PF like Utah's Millsap or Jefferson is not an impossible thing to explore.

This is interesting but with Paul George now in the driver seat, Granger becomes expendable.

[pacers70]

Millsap and Jefferson are both on the last year of their contracts so trading Granger for them before the trade deadline would not be a smart move and obviously they could not trade for them this summer unless it was a sign and trade.

I think the best move the Pacers could make is keeping Granger and let him walk next summer. I know a lot of people think we should trade him because he has value and we can get something for him, but let's think about this for a minute. If they trade him, what will they get?

1) A PF with a similar salary like Zach Randolph. That means the Pacers will not need to resign David West. In essence you would be trading West for Randolph and still losing Granger.

2) Multiple bench players with combined salaries near Granger's and maybe a draft choice or two. Unless the bench players contract expire in the summer of 2014, it would cramp the Pacers ability to resign West (or another PF) and George.

If the Pacers keep Granger, they can still resign West (or Millsap) and have Granger for another year. With Hill, George, Granger, West and Hibbert as our starters and Lance, Green and Ian featured off the bench, we could have a good shot of at least going to the Conference Finals.

[Wizop]

he is not yet cleared to practice but he is getting close. I don''t see us even thinking about moving him until after the playoffs. we're sitting first in the Central within a few games of the number one seed. add Danny's scoring to the mix and we've got a real shot at winning the East. I don't see that our chances are any better if we make any of the suggested Granger trades. now if we flop in the playoffs or find DWest too expensive to retain, everything is back on the table.

[Moooose]

Millsap and Jefferson are both on the last year of their contracts so trading Granger for them before the trade deadline would not be a smart move and obviously they could not trade for them this summer unless it was a sign and trade.

I think the best move the Pacers could make is keeping Granger and let him walk next summer. I know a lot of people think we should trade him because he has value and we can get something for him, but let's think about this for a minute. If they trade him, what will they get?

1) A PF with a similar salary like Zach Randolph. That means the Pacers will not need to resign David West. In essence you would be trading West for Randolph and still losing Granger.

2) Multiple bench players with combined salaries near Granger's and maybe a draft choice or two. Unless the bench players contract expire in the summer of 2014, it would cramp the Pacers ability to resign West (or another PF) and George.

If the Pacers keep Granger, they can still resign West (or Millsap) and have Granger for another year. With Hill, George, Granger, West and Hibbert as our starters and Lance, Green and Ian featured off the bench, we could have a good shot of at least going to the Conference Finals.

Of course, the trading for the big man will have to happen in the offseason, you don't wanna spoil West's monster contract year.

[8305]

I don't think Granger is going anywhere this year. It's just not the Pacers style. This team isn't broken and it would have to be to justify making a major change in the middle of the season. At least that's been the Pacer operating philosophy for as long as I can remember.

Also throw in the fact that Granger has been a good soldier for a long time. He deserves the opportunity to fit in with what is going on now. If you want to be a possible destination for players in the future they need to be treated with some level of respect. It would look bad if Granger were to be moved without being given a chance.

[Jake0890]

Danny Granger just started shooting drills.

[Jajwanda]

I could see something related to a Charlotte deal.

Sessions plus Ben Gordon to Indiana.
DJ Augustin plus Granger to L.A.
Gasol to Charlotte

[Jake0890]

I could see something related to a Charlotte deal.

Sessions plus Ben Gordon to Indiana.
DJ Augustin plus Granger to L.A.
Gasol to Charlotte

We send away a top 10 SF in the league, our backup PG, only to receive another backup PG as well as an overpaid Gordon?