The NBA trade deadline is coming up and rumors involving names like Danny Granger, Andre Miller, Greg Monroe, Josh Smith, Kenneth Faried, Trevor Ariza and Kyle Lowry have continued to come out and with the All-Star break coming up, some moves could start going down.
The Indiana Pacers have been the best team in the east this season and while they could sit tight at the trade deadline and be fine, there is a chance they will explore some trades for Danny Granger. The team knows that he is set to be a free agent this summer and while he is a former All-Star, Granger is 30 years old and with the way Lance Stephenson played in his place when he was injured last season, there's no way the Pacers can keep both heading into next year.
The Pacers brought in Andrew Bynum in a significant move earlier this year after he was released by the Chicago Bulls following his trade from the Cavaliers and that has added even more depth for Indiana. The team does not need much more, although an upgrade at point guard could help, and that is one reason why they could keep Granger. The team is making a hard push for the finals this year and he would be another solid component on their team, but on the other hand, the Pacers could try to add someone like Kyle Lowry or Andre Miller. The Pacers could use some strength at that position and if they want to sign Stephenson next season, which will be hard to begin with, Granger will have to go anyway, so why not try and get something for him?
Lowry reportedly will remain with the Toronto Raptors as the team tries to make a nice playoff run for the first time in years and this comes after the team already traded Rudy Gay to the Kings. Lowry looked like one of the most likely players to get moved at the deadline and that was due to his strong play, the fact Masai Ujiri is looking to rebuild the team and because he is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Lowry picked a great time to have a career year and with players like Ty Lawson and Stephen Curry signing for over $40 million on their contracts, that is what Lowry is looking at and the Raptors may feel better about trying to get a draft pick or something in return for a player that likely is going to leave in the offseason.
Greg Monroe has been mentioned quite a bit along with Josh Smith for the Detroit Pistons and after the team fired their head coach, a fire sale could be next in line and Monroe is at the top of the list. Monroe will be a restricted free agent and the Pistons are not likely to keep him and that could spark them to make a move. Smith has a huge contract and will be hard to move, but after the way the team has played they likely would not mind if someone could take it off their hands.
Kenneth Faried has a fourth year option on his contract and after the Knicks previously showed interest, New York could be a potential destination if the Nuggets want to make a deal. Faried is one of the best rebounders in the league and while he has a decent contract coming his way in the future, he could be a good rental for teams heading towards the playoffs. Trevor Ariza is relatively young at 28 for his experience in the league and he has been a solid defender and player for the Wizards this season and he could be a potential target as well since he has an expiring contract and is an unrestricted free agent after the season.
