NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers hold Danny Granger in ‘really high esteem’

When the Philadelphia 76ers surprisingly traded guard Evan Turner, big man Lavoy Allen and a pick to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Danny Granger, most pundits expected Granger to immediately be bought out so he could become a free agent.

The two participants in last year’s NBA Finals, the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, are reportedly interested in signing Granger if he is bought out.

The 76ers, however, have not committed to buying Granger out.

“Danny, I hold in really high esteem,” 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie told Wolf of the Courier-Post. “It’s going to be interesting. I think we’re going to sit and just talk like men, and say, ‘What is it that you want out of the rest of this year?’ If you want to talk about shellshock, he’s been in one place his whole career and has had a heck of a career already and I think has a good bit to go, so we’re going to sit and talk with him about what it is he wants and kind of the role he sees on our team and vice versa, and where that goes I don’t exactly know.”

The nine-year veteran is in the last year of his deal.

In 29 games this season, Granger is averaging 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.