NBA Trade Rumors & Deadline: Danny Granger Being Targeted by Houston Rockets, Garnett Won't Accept Deal Without Pierce

The Houston Rockets have space and money to burn, and they might be looking to use both to land themselves the Indiana Pacers' star player.

The latest trade deadline speculation is that the young up-and-coming Rockets might be giving a serious look towards acquiring Danny Granger from the Pacers in a trade.

The prospect of trading Granger, who is currently on the shelf thanks to patellar tendinosis in his left knee that has kept him out since November, seemed unlikely and improbable last season, when the former 2009 NBA All-Star averaged 18.7 points for the Pacers and 17.0 points a game for the Pacers in a playoff run that saw them nearly upset the eventual champion Miami Heat.

However, the recent emergence of Paul George, who will be playing for the East during the NBA All-Star Game Feb. 17, has reportedly raised the possibility that the Pacers may look into dealing their superstar player away.

Fox Sports News reported recently that the Pacers are "taking and making exploratory calls" for Granger as the NBA trade deadline nears.

According to Hoopsworld, the Pacers are said to be in doubt as to whether the 29-year-old forward's knee is in good enough shape and whether he'll be able to come back and produce at the levels he's been expected to since he was drafted by the Pacers in 2005.

The Rockets, who were rumored to be pursuing Rudy Gay or Zach Randolph prior to last week's trade that sent Gay to Toronto, would likely have to part with Chandler Parsons, who has recently been improving on the offensive side, and one or two other players (a draft pick may also be a possibility in bartering) for Granger.

However, the addition of Granger would add a verified scoring threat to go alongside James Harden while giving their front court some offensive spark. Of course, that is pending on whether or not his knee will be able to withstand the constant pressure of running up and down the court that the Rockets' frenetic style of play entails.

And with another star to keep the scoring pressure of the league's No.2 offense (105.1 points per game) on opponents, it would allow Harden to get some rest down the stretch and help solidify Houston's standing as a legitimate playoff threat.

Plus, Granger, 29, is still young enough to fit into the Rockets' high-energy offensive system and could even help Jeremy Lin get a few extra shots with defenses being so focused on stopping Harden and Granger that Lin would be left open to get a few more shots in.

Of course, all of this is speculation at the moment, and while there currently isn't a return timetable for Granger on the table, the Pacers could very well decide to wait and hold onto Granger as they attempt to make a push for the Central Division crown, which they are currently locking horns with Chicago for.

Yet, if Houston can pull off the trade, it could conceivably be a win-win for all sides. Houston has plenty of young assets that they can part with for Granger that would fit in nicely with the equally youthful Pacers squad, and the Rockets would in turn be receiving a star that could help change the dynamics of their ball club and put their mission of rebuilding the Rockets since the Yao Ming days ended in 2011 one step closer to completion.

Kevin Garnett addresses trade rumors and talks Paul Pierce

Meanwhile, trade drama continues to surround the Boston Celtics as Kevin Garnett addressed the rumors that he was on the trading block.

"I bleed green, I'll die green," Garnett told the Boston Globe this week. "That's what it is. But it is a business. When it crosses that path, I'll deal with it. Trades are apart of this league. Every year you're going to hear things. If I were y'all (the media), I wouldn't read too much into it."

The 15-time NBA All-Star who led the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008 is taking a very business-like approach to the growing rumors that he could possibly be traded to the L.A. Clippers. The rumors that the Celtics have been looking to make a trade have intensified since they lost All-Star Rajon Rondo for the season last week with a torn ACL.

""It's that part of the year. Right after All-Star Break you start to hear things. Some of it's chatter, some if it's real," he said. "You just have to block certain things out, play through certain things. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, it's out of your control a lot of times. The things you do control, you control those. You play, obviously fair. If the situation comes up where you got to move, then you are ready for it."

Garnett has a no trade clause, but that could change if friend and team captain Paul Pierce is traded. According to former NBA.com writer Shaun Powell, Garnett has reportedly said that he would waive his no-trade clause if Pierce, who has been with the Celtics since his rookie year in 1998-99.

However, the likelihood of Pierce being traded is slim, as Celtics GM Danny Ainge's trading price for the Celtics fan favorite is reportedly pretty steep.

In the meantime, Celtics coach Doc Rivers isn't paying much mind to the rumors.

"Sometimes some of the stuff that happens is just silly," Rivers said. "It really is. When I wake up in the morning and I hear a trade rumor that I haven't heard in my office, that's silly. And that's what happens."