Sam Amico: Rockets have a "keen eye" on Danny Granger

granger would be the 2nd best player on this team

 

As a Pacers fan, what players/picks would you reasonably expect in return for Granger from the Rockets if this trade were to go down?

 

The problem with a potential Granger to Houston trade is Indiana currently overvalues Granger. It's just a case of circumstances.

Granger now practicing with the Pacers, is seen every day by management who believe he should comeback, and by next year compete at 100%. Because the Pacers see themselves as legit title contenders (whether right or wrong), they don't want to forfeit that opportunity this year since they believe Granger will take Indiana to the next level.*

The good news is Indiana is probably somewhat interested in a Granger trade. The Pacers have committed to Hill, Hibbert, re-signing West (this will happen, done deal), and then Paul is going to receive a massive deal. (probably the Rose exception). So in the future re-signing Granger is doubtful, so looking to trade him to Houston is a possibility. But we have to accept the reality that the Pacers will essentially be looking to fleece the Rockets if that makes sense.

Since they're trying to win now, the reality is I'm not sure the Pacers would be willing to do any trade unless it involved Harden (Ha!), Asik (another ha!), or Parsons (the only guy Houston might be willing to trade).

A trade involving Parsons might interest Indiana because he's young talent to play with Indiana's current core, and he can still produce immediately.

But then I'm not so sure Houston would be interested Parsons potential for a guy they simply see as talented, but 30 years old and injured.

What I'm really getting at is I don't think the two can find much common ground. I won't really suggest any particular trades because none of them really stick out as particularly good for either teams, so it'd be pure speculation on my part.

*The Pacers sport the 2nd best defense in the league along with a five man unit that is blitzing units without Granger. If they can figure out their bench, the Pacers feel like they have a legimate shot to beat Miami. In theory, adding Granger fixes their bench and makes them elite. Last year Indiana's offense was number nine with Granger. Considering the improvement of Hill and George, they feel like their offense will go to near top five. At least statistically this would make them true contenders.

 

Mattie isn't a Pacers fan, he's an alt account. But if he is one - I TOLD YOU ALL SO.

Mattie, what's Pacers management like, are they conscientious about salaries and their bottom-line?

Do you think they'd prefer to keep Granger past the trade deadline to make one last play-offs push before next season, or would they see $13M sixth man as too much money for limited production and prefer to trade for young prospects and cap relief like the Grizzlies?

 

Also are you a LOF?

 

He probably won't invoke the player option knowing Denver isn't going to keep him. Because if he does there is no telling where he will land in a trade and if he lands on a team that he doesn't fit on then that would hurt his free agency the following season. I don't see why he would waste a year of his career and risk his future earning potential over $4 million, BUT never know where a players head is at..

Point remains that Iggy would be better for the team than Granger.

 

If they trade him, I don't think it will be till the off-season. That way they can show off his knee to the rest of the league and possibly get a high draft pick for him or at least a lot more than what the Rockets are willing to offer.

 

You guys can find my posting over at @ PacersDigest.com.

my handle oddly is mattie oddly enough...

 

Most Pacers fans think he'll be traded in the off-season. I tend to agree with this.

 

It is hard to say actually -

Donnie Walsh is generally pretty smart when it comes to overall dollars spent but he also has a reputation for overpaying for his own players. He also has the nickname "Do Nothing Donnie." I'll let you guys speculate why he got that nickname.

I would guess that Pacers owner Herb Simon wants Donnie to strictly watch the bottom line and that Donnie simply won't cross it. Donnie would probably follow these orders to a T, while ending up embarrassingly over paying David West in the off-season.

Hope that helps.

 

(oddly)

- oddly.

 

This (as well as some other posts). I wouldn't take him if he were free - I'd rather have the cap space. If we were one player away from serious contention, yeah, but that ain't where we are.

 

Batman needs a Robin .....jordan needed pippen and Harden needs granger. .!

 

Parson is Harden's Robin! Parson's game lately has reminded me a lot of Pippen: good defender and smart plays on the offsensive end.

 

poor asset management.

the rockets have a glut of young players who need playing time. the rockets need to do a 2 for 1 type deal.

a star calibre player with an expiring contract next season is more valuable than 2013 cap space. they'd be cashing in lesser value trade assets for a higher value trade asset.

 

I'd be upset if we traded Parsons for Granger. What do we gain? 4% better 3 point shooter?

 

His advanced metrics do not substantiate the claim that he has declined as a player. Also, how is he inefficient? There seems to be this idea that when someone other than Durant or James scores a lot of points a game, that they are inefficient.... I had an argument with a NY sports writer that James Harden is not inefficient....

 

Thank you, very good post.

I do not think that the Rockets would fall into the Indiana/Memphis model though. The Rockets would play Granger a lot of the time at the 3-4 spots with Parsons also getting time. The Rockets are going to run.