The Indiana Pacers expect to remain quiet at the trade deadline, but rumors involving the top team in the east could see Danny Granger get moved and some targets heading into the second half could be players like Dion Waiters, Luke Ridnour, Terrence Ross, Jared Dudley, Gary Neal and Evan Turner for Paul George and company.
The Pacers are already the strongest team in the east and while many still favor Miami over Indy because they have won two ttiles already, this season could be very different come playoff time. The Pacers felt they had Miami's number last season in the eastern conference finals, but with game 7 in Miami, the team lost and now they are motivated to get the top seed for home court advantage.
On top of that, the Pacers have made multiple additions that make them stronger, as they brought in Luis Scola in a trade and Andrew Bynum on a deal and now they have one of the best front courts in the league with Roy Hibbert and David West. George has developed into a superstar and is on the cusp of it and now as the deadline gets closer, the Pacers could look to add some depth to their bench as they head towards the playoffs.
Jared Zwerling and separate SI.com and Sporting News reports have the Pacers looking to add a bench player that is a scoring option and based on what the team has to offer and who is out there, names like Neal and Waiters could be options. For a time it looked like the Cavaliers were guaranteed to trade Waiters, but now that could be on the back burner as they work out deals, but if the price goes down and Indy doesn't have to break the bank, they could get in on things. The team also has connections to Neal, as the Bucks have been absolutely terrible this season.
SB Nation proposes a deal involving Gary Neal and Chris Copeland and that would be a deal that works money wise, as Neal is on a two year, $3.25 million contract. SI.com also reports that Ridnour is on the move as well and that is an area where the Pacers could use some strength. The Bucks have had interest from the Kings, Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards and with the way Milwaukee has played, they are nearly guaranteed to make some deals.
Grange may end up staying in Indy and that isn't the worst thing for the Pacers, but it would be a surprise after many predicted before the season that he would be traded Granger was injured for nearly all of last season and Lance Stephenson stepped up and now he has a bigger role and moving forward, Granger is likely gone when his contract is up. The team could look to trade him or they could keep him, make a run and see what he brings and then let him leave as a free agent. The team needs to try and sign Stephenson, but he is in line for a raise and this could be the last chance this team is together like this for a championship run. That mindset could spark Larry Bird to make a move, but so far all has been quiet for the Pacers.
