The Indiana Pacers reportedly traded forward Danny Granger on Thursday for Philadelphia 76ers swingman Evan Turner. Indiana also acquired 76ers forward Lavoy Allen, Adrian Wajnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports.
Indiana and Philadelphia completed what appeared to be a last minute trade ahead of Thursday's 3:00 p.m. deadline. Granger, a 30-year-old veteran averaging 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds this season, is now headed to Philadelphia in exchange for Turner and Allen.
Turner, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2010 draft, became the subject of trade rumors earlier this season after the Sixers' front office declined to discuss a contract extension with him. The 25-year-old was reportedly the main asset Philadelphia wanted to push before the trade deadline.
With Philadelphia unlikely to exercise their team option next season for Turner, teams were unwilling to spend big on him when he'd likely become a free agent in July. CBS Sports' Ken Berger reported on Wednesday the Sixers lowered their asking price for Turner in order to at least get something for him.
"Unable to secure a 1st-round pick in a deal for Evan Turner, Sixers may now take a 2nd as part of package for (him), sources say," Berger tweeted.
Turner is averaging a career-high 17.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this season.
Allen, whose contract expires after the season, was likely included in the deal to help Philadelphia offset Granger's $14 million salary.
Allen is a 2011 second-round pick who's averaging 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in just over 18 minutes per game this season.
Philadelphia, in turn, picks up the expiring contract of Granger without losing any financial flexibility for the upcoming seasons.
