The biggest trade of the NBA’s trade deadline was also one that just got in under the wire, as the Philadelphia 76ers acquired swingman Danny Granger and a second round draft pick from the Indiana Pacers for swingman Evan Turner, and big man Lavoy Allen.
Granger to Sixers, Turner to Pacers in Biggest Move of Deadline
Granger was once seen as the Pacers franchise player, but when injuries forced him to miss almost all of last season, Paul George and Roy Hibbert emerged as Indiana’s key guys. In the last year of a huge contract, and with a bench role this season, it was assumed by most that Granger would not be re-signing with the Pacers when he becomes a free agent this summer. In acquiring him the Sixers get an early look at how Granger would fit into their lineup, and a chance to negotiate a new contract with the former NBA All-Star.
The 30-year-old Granger is averaging 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds, while shooting just 35.9 percent from the field in 22.5 minutes per contest this season. He isn’t quite back to the level that saw him average over 20 points per game in three straight seasons from 2007-08 to 2009-10, but he can still be effective. This will also be an interesting test to see how Granger can stand up to more minutes and a bigger role as Philadelphia plays out the string.
In Evan Turner, the Pacers get a scoring threat off the bench who is having a great season with the Sixers. Turner has started all 54 games for the Sixers and is averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 34.9 minutes per game. However, one should expect those numbers to drop as Turner will be playing a smaller role with Indiana, but still an important one for a team with title aspirations. Turner will be a restricted free agent this summer if the Pacers make him a $9 million qualifying offer.
Lavoy Allen was a rotational big-man for the Pacers. He will also likely see his role reduced on a deeper Indiana squad, and is included in the trade to provide depth for the Pacers, and to equalize the salaries. The Sixers also have too many players on their roster, and will need to cut one more.
In other deadline moves for Philadelphia; the Sixers, Washington Wizards, and Denver Nuggets made a three-way trade. The Wizards acquire disgruntled Denver point guard Andre Miller. The Sixers get Washington point guard Eric Maynor, Denver’s 2nd round pick in 2014, and Washington’s second round pick in 2016. The Nuggets get Washington power foward Jan Vesely, a 6th round pick in 2011 who just has never lived up to the hype.
The Clippers traded The Clippers also traded Byron Mullins to the Sixers for an undisclosed 2nd round pick. This is a pure salary dump by the Clippers to try and save some money both in Mullins Salary and in Luxury Tax penalties.
Elsewhere in the NBA, The San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors swapped a pair of players who have played limited roles on their current clubs. The Spurs picking up Austin Daye, and the Raptors getting Nando Del Colo. The Spurs get a depth swingman who can shoot from the outside, while the Raptors get more depth at the point guard position.
The Los Angeles Clippers mane another move to trim salary and open up roster space. The traded Antawn Jamison to the Atlanta Hawks. In return, the Clippers got the draft rights to Cenk Akyol, a former second-round draft selection by the Hawks now playing in Turkey. The move will save the Clippers more than $2 million in salary and luxury-tax savings.
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