Now it’s easy to point out a teams glaring deficiencies, but it’s unfair to do so without offering any solutions.
Earlier this week IndyStar columnist, Bob Kravitz, urged the Pacers to make a trade but to hold onto Danny Granger, who has been the centerpiece of several trade rumors this past week – most notably to Houston.
But it’s unlikely that Houston would be willing to part with anything of true value to the Pacers — Chandler Parsons (an incredibly productive player on a golden contract) or Patrick Patterson — for a player with long-term injury concerns.
Kravitz suggests trading for the Orlando Magic sharpshooter, J.J. Reddick, who I’ve been clamoring for the Pacers to pursue for years now, but it’s not that simple.
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As a rebuilding team trying to maintain roster flexibility, the Magic won’t be interested in any spare parts the Pacers have to offer. So unless Donnie Walsh and Kevin Pritchard are willing to open the draft vault, than the Magic will likely shop Reddick elsewhere.
There is another option the Pacers should pursue, however. While this is merely speculative, it would make sense on both ends. If the Pacers are willing to part with Granger – they have expressed doubt in his health moving forward – than Phoenix might be their best bet.
Phoenix had a strong interest in bringing in Rudy Gay before he was dealt to Toronto. Granger is a strikingly similar player, and one that will give the Suns some semblance of a face to throw on their billboards, a major concern since trading Nash to LA.
At the same time, their issues with forward Marcin Gortat have been lingering all season, which have had him pegged as one of the most likely players to be moved before the deadline.
He’s not a sexy name, but is an offensively reliable big man – more so than Hibbert – and would fit in nicely with the Pacers, giving Frank Vogel the lineup flexibility to play with any team in the league. Toss in small forward Jared Dudley to knock down some 3s and even up the salaries, a couple draft picks heading back to Phoenix, and you have a pretty favorable deal for both sides.
Whether they make a deadline move or not, like so many of the Pacers teams before them, these Pacers have a chance to be great.
To be remembered.
All that’s left is crossing that fine line.
Ben Baroff is an aspiring sports journalist and marketing professional who blogs and writes columns for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.