Can Danny Granger get paid, too?
Danny Granger (photo. NBA)You’ve heard of a contract year, but Danny Granger had himself a contract game earlier this week. With the Pacers only having one game on the schedule before today’s contract-extension deadline, Granger — who quietly watched 2005 draft classmates Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Andrew Bogut, Monta Ellis and Louis Williams get paid this summer — walked into the Palace at Auburn Hills and did everything he could to show Indiana why the franchise should make a big investment in him.
In a closer-than-expected loss to the Pistons, Granger dropped 33 points, primarily on Tayshaun Prince, who was on the U.S. Olympic team because at least a few people in this world believe he’s the best one-on-one perimeter defender in the game (or at least the best one who’s never been accused of starving his dogs, abusing his wife and starting a riot). In that one game, Granger showed the whole repertoire: he hit threes (calmly dropping one from about 27-28 feet late in the fourth), he scored in the post, he scored from mid-range and off the dribble, he recorded three blocks and two steals, he went 11-for-12 from the stripe, and he pulled down five rebounds from the small forward position. He even threw in a token assist. In terms of going into the end-stages of a contract negotiation and leaving one last impression on the organization, he couldn’t have done much better. However, while L.A.’s Andrew Bynum and Detroit’s Jason Maxiell came in under the deadline with respective four-year extensions signed yesterday, Granger is still in Marvin Williams Land.
I’ve already gone over this once before, back in August, when Pacers GM David Morway said, “We haven’t actually started that process yet. We have until October to do that, and I’m sure we will have conversations. Danny is a young player that we hope to build with, but we haven’t even begun yet.”
Well, October is going to be over in a few hours, and Granger is still working on his rookie deal despite averaging 19 points and six boards last year and being handed the responsibility of being The Man for the Pacers this year. He recently told the Indianapolis Star that the two sides are talking, but he wouldn’t be surprised if negotiations went down to the last minute.
I’m not saying Granger should be given $70 or $80 million right now, and I can understand if the Pacers want to follow the example set by the Sixers with Andre Iguodala: give Granger a year to show he can really be a legit #1 guy (and in the meantime, figure out this team’s identity and where he fits into that picture), then make it a priority to re-sign him when he’s a restricted free agent next summer. I just hope that if that is their plan, Granger is made aware of it. Because while having a chip on one’s shoulder and something to prove is one thing — a good thing, in most cases — you don’t want your franchise player feeling disrespected by the franchise.
What kind of contract extension, if any, would you give Danny Granger?
October 31st, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Abe504 says:
5 years, 45 million, he earned it, considering he is the only one that can put up points for there squad.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Scott says:
Bynum money would make the most sense. Dude is consistent, and consistency is hard to find in the NBA especially from guys who are labeled as being able to do it ‘all’, where Granger does do it all for the most part and on a consistent basis.
Plus, he’s a good character guy. If you disrespect a player like Granger, what are your real chances of luring worth-while FA’s?
October 31st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I’d say anywhere in the 6-8 million/year range would be fair at this point. I think Danny has talent and yes he is a good character guy but it’s easy to be the best player on a bad team. With that being said, much like Igoudala, he is NOT a franchise player. He would, however, be the perfect Pippen to somebody’s Jordan.
October 31st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Meica says:
Damn, this kid is good. He played one hell of a game yesterday; however, Spliff 2 My Lou has got it right: “he would… be the perfect Pippen to somebody’s Jordan. Either way, hope the kid gets paid. Lord knows he’s earned it.
October 31st, 2008 at 1:35 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Damn Austin it was one game and you wanna make Granger the Mayor of Indiana (Geeessssh). You’ve been Dik Handlin’ this boy a lil too much lately. Is there something us (we’re all family here)?(lmao)
October 31st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Youngfed — I sense bitterness over Granger serving your man Tayshaun a hot buckets sandwich.
October 31st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
sans says:
He deserves $10-$12M after this season, when Indy probably could have gotten away with nine earlier this year…now they’re gonna have to jump high, especially with Andrew Bogut making bank and not being any good. Bogut won’t even buy himself a nice watch, wtf!?
October 31st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
YOUNGFED says:
“Tayshaun Prince played his normal all-around game, with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes of action.” - Detroit FreePress
Sounds like Tayshaun was giving him Buckets too. Everyone has a good night here or there, lets wait and see what he’s does by Allstar break (if he ever makes a team).
BTW not bitter we won they lost so his 33pts was all for nothing.
October 31st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
BxBaller says:
Indy is probably gonna fuck this up too. How come Larry Legend is not getting as scrutinized as much as Isaiah was? I’m just saying…
October 31st, 2008 at 2:26 pm
kermit the washington says:
Granger = Pippen 2.0
Get this dude on with a Rudy Gay or Andre Igoudala or somebody like that and watch what happens.
October 31st, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Austin Burton says:
@BxBaller — (1) Isiah made his mistakes in New York, and (2) You know the other reason.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
TCL says:
He deserves $10 million per EASY. He’s gotta have a higher ceiling than cats like Maggette, no?
Joey Graham over Danny Granger in 2005 will forever haunt me.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:53 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@post#11
That might be the realest sh*t u ever wrote Austin.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
QuEsT??? says:
5 for 50 million. the most ill pay him is 11.5 million per year
October 31st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Ian says:
he deserves at least 10
hes better than iggy and 10 times better than prince fed
November 1st, 2008 at 5:49 am
Phileus says:
Is “the other reason” because he’s white and in Indiana?
I’m not saying that’s a stretch (Ty Willingham at ND, anyone?) but maybe “the other reason” is because the Pacers are rehabbing their image under Bird while the Knicks under Thomas were maybe the most disgraceful pro sports franchise in NY history?
November 1st, 2008 at 11:28 am
Celts Fan says:
You HAVE TO lock him up. He’s the only worthwhile piece on this team that’ll still be here in 5 years to keep building. He’s probably best served as a #2 (like Iggy) but he’s a damn good one. $10-$12M per (now, if they wait, it could jump up a few more million, cuz I think we all know he’s legit.) Indiana isn’t exactly Miami; people aren’t flocking to play there. They have a good one, KEEP HIM.
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 am
2 Easy says:
I wonder how a team would look if had 2 of these Pippen 2.0 cats on the same squad ie: Rudy, Granger, Iggy, etc. Do they need a jordan then? Obviously everyone wants a Jordan but would they need one? Just a thought
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 am
Drew Ricketts says:
After seeing Granger play, I would agree that the jury is still out. As for playing on a team, putting in your share of the work, and doing so consistently, I thing Granger deserves his due diligence. But I would not tag him any more franchise player than functionary in a mid-level organization. If he shows transformative skills like those displayed by Joe Johnson or other players of similar talents, then he might get more money. Until then, he will fall into the Good Player on a Bad Team quandary. (Is he that good if his team loses, they wonder) I’d want his defense on my team for sure.