Danny Granger was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Philadelphia 76ers. Of course he was unhappy with the trade going from a championship contending team to a team tanking for the top lottery pick. The Pacers found Granger disposable after injuries sidelined him and Paul George emerged in his absence. Granger has made it quite clear that he doesn’t want to stay with the 76ers and they’re expected to buy him out so he can become a free agent. His destination of choice is the Miami Heat but they have someone else in mind.
via Miami Herald
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.”
