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NEW YORK – The Indiana Pacers, sitting atop the NBA’s Eastern Conference, obtained swingman Evan Turner from Philadelphia in exchange for Danny Granger in the biggest deal Thursday at the league’s trade deadline.
The Pacers, who also obtained forward Lavoy Allen in the swap, also sent the 76ers a 2015 NBA Draft second-round pick in the deal.
Turner, who will be a free agent after the season, was the second selection in the 2010 NBA Draft and is averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season.
Granger has spent his entire nine-year career with the Pacers, averaging 17.6 points a game.
At 41-13, the Pacers are two games ahead of Miami for the best record in the East and a home-court playoff edge throughout the conference playoffs, but have lacked scoring punch at times, relying upon a tough defense.
Other East teams fighting for playoff position despite losing records made moves to tweak their roster as well.
The Atlanta Hawks (25-28) obtained veteran forward Antawn Jamison from the Los Angeles Clippers for the rights to Turkish swingman Cenk Akyol, who plays for Galatasaray in his homeland.
Jamison, in his 16th NBA season, averages 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds a game in a reserve role.
Washington (26-28) obtained veteran point guard Andre Miller from Denver in a three-team deal that saw the Wizards send Czech forward Jan Vesely to Denver and guard Eric Maynor to Philadelphia, which also took future second-round draft picks from each club.
Miller will provide solid bench support for Wizards playmaker John Wall, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner.
“Andre is a proven veteran who brings 14 years of experience as a point guard, leader and distributor to solidify our second unit,” said Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld.
Philadelphia also traded center Spencer Hawes to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward Earl Clark, center Henry Sims and two 2014 second-round draft picks, and the 76ers acquired center Byron Mullens from the Clippers for a draft pick.
Houston sent reserve guard Aaron Brooks to Denver for swingman Jordan Hamilton as the Rockets, 37-17 and winners of eight in a row to stand third in the Western Conference, add support for bearded sharpshooter James Harden.
The Charlotte Bobcats, 25-30 to hold the eighth and final East playoff spot, obtained guards Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour from the NBA-worst Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien.
“Gary is an exceptional shooter and Luke is a veteran point guard who can help us off the bench,” said team operations president Rod Higgins.
Reigning NBA champion Miami traded reserve guard Roger Mason to the Sacramento Kings for a 2015 second-round draft pick. – Rappler.com
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