UPDATE – Buyout Bonanzas: Granger, Butler, Fredette Could Help Playoff Teams; Udrih claimed by Grizz

Does anyone want Danny Granger?

How about Jimmer Fredette?

Perhaps Caron Butler?

And how about this: Someone — the Memphis Grizzlies — wanted Beno Udrih so badly they claimed him off waivers.

This is the last week for contenders to shore up their playoff  rosters with NBA players for a run they hope will last into June. It is becoming known as February Free Agency.

The official NBA rule is that teams have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, March 1 to waive a player so he can be used on a postseason roster this season. So over the next few days, there will be a barrage of rumors, buyouts and transactions and we will keep you abreast of all the latest information here at SheridanHoops.

The Los Angeles Clippers already made a big splash this week by signing Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who had the final two years of his contract bought out by Orlando.

It’s a good fit. The Clippers desperately needed a backup big who warrants defensive attention, and Davis helped current Clippers coach Doc Rivers win one championship and almost a second in Boston.

But the big name that will be on the free agent market over the next few days is Granger.

Granger was traded from Indiana to the horrible Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday and was in the last year of his contract. The two sides breached agreement on a buyout today, and the Clippers are the frontrunners to sign him, according to Yahoo Sports.

The two sides continue to discuss a buyout, according to Marc Stein and Ramona Shelbourne, with contenders already lining up to add Granger and bolster their depth. Granger and San Antonio reportedly have mutual interest and the Clippers could be looking to sign Granger and pair him with Davis and complete their February haul. Keep in mind that if Granger now loses his coveted Bird Rights, and Philadelphia has lost the ability to sign and trade him this summer.

Indiana built its young franchise’s hopes around Granger, and he delivered. Granger averaged at least 18.7 points and five rebounds for five consecutive seasons, winning Most Improved Player and making the All-Star team in 2009. He averaged 25.8 points per game that season and 24.1 the next. He was a bona fide star.

The Pacers built around him, drafting Roy Hibbert, Paul George and Lance Stephenson and signing David West from the Hornets. They acquired point guard George Hill in a draft night trade with San Antonio in 2011 and slowly and organically built a title contender under Larry Bird and, later, Donnie Walsh.

Then Granger got hurt, injuring his knee and missing all but five games of the 2012-2013 season. In his absence, George became an even bigger star than Granger, ironically making the team’s original building block fairly redundant.

Granger struggled to return to form and missed the first part of the season recovering from a calf injury. When the opportunity to acquire Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen from Philadelphia arose, Indiana couldn’t pass up trading its eroded franchise pillar.

Granger will clear waivers if bought out, because no contending team would want – or be able – to take on the $5 million or so left on his contract. Granger’s numbers aren’t very impressive, but he still provides value.

Granger	Minutes	FG%	3FG%	Points	Rebounds	Assists	O Rate	D Rate	PER	WS/48
Season	22.5	35.9	33	8.3	3.6	1.1	98	99	10.4	0.9

 

Granger has allowed just 99 points per 100 possessions on defense this season, which could be a product of playing for the league’s top defensive team. But he could be a strong perimeter defender no matter where he lands. And Granger has hit 36 percent of his 3-pointers in February, which makes him a cheap, experienced and viable “three and D” pickup.

In addition to the Spurs and Clippers, the Bulls, Rockets and Heat are also suitors for Granger, according to Turner’s David Aldridge.

If Granger ends up with Miami, it would be a juicy “revenge factor” story with Granger teaming with his old rival after being spurned by the team that raised him as a player. Miami did just sign guard DeAndre Liggins to a 10-day contract, so either Liggins or someone like Toney Douglas would have to be released to make room for a signing like Granger.

San Antonio could use veteran insurance for Kawhi Leonard and Chicago’s Jimmy Butler dealing with an injury of his own, along with being overused.