The Miami Heat locker room reportedly doesn't want ex-Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger signed if he's released by the Philadelphia 76ers. Citing bad blood from the 2012 playoffs against Granger, the Miami Herald reports Miami would prefer to sign veteran forward Caron Butler.
Granger, who isn't happy about his trade to Philadelphia, wants to play for a championship-contending team and hopes the 76ers will negotiate a buyout of his contract. While Miami was reported as a possible destination, The Herald says the Heat locker room doesn't want him.
"Heat players would clearly prefer Butler; he and Dwyane Wade are close from their days as Heat teammates, and Granger irritated the Heat's stars by getting in their faces after fouls in the 2012 playoffs," Barry Jackson of The Herald wrote on Sunday. "At the time, LeBron James called Granger's conduct 'stupid.'"
Philadelphia is reportedly open to the idea of buying out Granger's contract.
Butler could also become a free agent if the Milwaukee Bucks buy out his contract, which appears likely to happen.
Per Jackson:
"'They're very comparable,' an Eastern Conference scout said. 'Granger is better off the ball, Butler a little tougher.' The scout said Granger lost a step, but Butler isn't clearly better, and the scout would lean toward Granger for Miami because the Heat could pick his brain on Pacers' personnel and tendencies, adding 'that definitely has value beyond what you get studying film.'"
Although the Heat players may prefer Butler, Granger is the better defender - opponents guarded by Granger shoot 30.9 percent from the field while opponents guarded by Butler shoot 47 percent.
Players must be released by March 1 to be eligible to play in the postseason with another team.
