NBA Rumors: Pacers traded Danny Granger because he slacked off?

Up until his mid-February trade, Danny Granger had spent all parts of his 10 NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers.

Understandably, Granger, who helped the Pacers bridge a handful of poor seasons was upset at the trade given Indiana should be a title contender this season. Even worse? He was sent to one of the worst teams in the league, the Philadelphia 76ers.

Granger eventually agreed to a buyout and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, but why was he traded in the first place? Well, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Pacers were growing concerned that Granger was slacking off in his rehab to maintain health.

"To hear the Pacers’ logic behind the deal, they were concerned that Granger had let up on his day-to-day rehab and that without that rehab who really knew what he could provide the Pacers in the postseason. The desire to add more firepower to the bench and another big body up front prompted the Pacers to shake up a locker room that was as cohesive and united as any in basketball."

Granger is (and was) set to become a free agent at season end, so it’s questionable logic on the Pacers part – but the jury is still out on the remainder of the season and playoffs.