NBA Trade Speculation: Danny Granger for Eric Gordon Makes Pacers an Elite Team

Acquiring a player like Eric Gordon in exchange for Danny Granger would make the Indiana Pacers among the top five teams in the NBA. Chad Ford of ESPN.com has indicated the Pacers could possibly land Gordon in exchange for Granger. This move would make the Pacers a more balanced team offensively.

At times, Granger's shooting hurts the team. He can get in the mode of hoisting bad shots, and the Pacers have too many capable scorers for that type of offensive approach. He has toned down his act a bit this year, but his shooting overall is down from 42 percent to 33 percent from the field.

Granger is still capable of big nights scoring, but he is an expendable piece. The Pacers' best young player is Paul George. He is a solid defender who I think has a chance to make an all-defensive team in the near future. He should be the team's starting SF.

George can score off the dribble, as well as from distance. His three-point shooting has been scorching so far this season at over 55 percent. His natural position is SF; moving Granger allows him to play there, and should increase his effectiveness.

Acquiring Gordon allows the Pacers to more than replace the scoring they would lose with trading Granger. Gordon is an explosive scorer with big-time range. He averaged 22 points per game last year. He shot 45 percent from three-point range as well, but he has only played in one game so far this year, due to a knee injury.

Gordon is set to become a restricted free agent after this season, and the New Orleans Hornets know there is a chance they will lose him. Gordon's qualifying offer is $5.1 million. They could make a deal for him now to ensure they receive something for him.

Granger's deal is significantly higher than Gordon's. Granger is scheduled to make an average of $13.9 million from now until the 2013-2014 season.

The Hornets would have to include players in the trade to make the salaries work, but it's a trade that helps the Pacers a great deal.

The Hornets would be wise to hold onto Gordon, and give themselves the opportunity to match any contract offer he receives, but they may have already decided to let him walk.

They wouldn't be the first team to overreact and trade a player, pending free agency, though it seems David Stern would not allow such a deal.

Any team interested in dealing for one of the Hornets' players must remember the hard-line approach Stern took in a deal for Chris Paul. You'd expect Gordon would be difficult to snag as well.

Still, the Pacers should inquire on Gordon's availability. Gordon played his one year of collegiate ball at Indiana, so fans are very familiar with him. If they can't get him now, they could and should make a strong push in the offseason.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.