Former Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger is expected to complete a buyout on Wednesday with the Philadelphia 76ers. If Granger clears waivers, the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls will reportedly pursue the veteran.
Granger wasn't happy with his trade to the lottery-bound 76ers. The 30-year-old veteran, however, may get his wish to play for a title-contending team.
"Sixers, Danny Granger finishing buyout today, per sources," TNT's David Aldridge tweeted on Wednesday. "Teams in hunt: Clips, Bulls, Heat, Rockets, Spurs."
Multiple media outlets - including CSNPhilly.com and ESPN - are also reporting Philadelphia and Granger are negotiating a buyout of his contract and will likely soon reach an agreement. Granger must be waived before the end of Saturday to maintain eligibility to play in the postseason.
Assuming Philadelphia buys out Granger's contract and he clears waivers, either San Antonio or Los Angeles is believed to be his most likely destination.
"Sources said Tuesday the San Antonio Spurs and Granger share a mutual interest if the former All-Star comes to a buyout agreement with the Sixers by the weekend," ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne wrote on Wednesday. "It's believed the Los Angeles Clippers will be another leading suitor for Granger's services should he become an unrestricted free agent next week."
Granger wants to play for a championship-caliber team. Although some news sources named the Heat as a potential suitor, he appears unlikely to end up in Miami.
"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 Miami Herald wrote on Sunday. "At the time, LeBron James called Granger's conduct 'stupid.'"
ESPN also reported Granger is weighing other options and could ultimately decide to finish the season with Philadelphia for financial reasons.
"...There are risks for Granger in parting company with the rebuilding Sixers," Stein and Shelburne wrote. "Granger would forfeit his Larry Bird rights in that case and likewise strip Philadelphia of the ability to sign-and-trade him this summer, both of which could impact his earning power in free agency."
Granger, in the final year of his contract, is due $14 million this season.
