Candace Bucker

USA TODAY Sports

Pacers traded Danny Granger to Philadelphia

Sixers send Evan Turner%2C LaVoy Allen to Indiana

Nine years ago, Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird drafted Danny Granger, who would become one of his most beloved players. But on Thursday afternoon, Bird needed to make a quick decision regarding the future of his "favorite."

Ultimately, the need to improve the team's second unit outweighed the personal attachments and Bird pulled the trigger on a deal to send Granger to the Philadelphia 76ers for the younger, more multi-talented Evan Turner and center Lavoy Allen.

"I am excited about it," Bird told The Indianapolis Star Friday afternoon. "(But) all the trades are tough when you get rid of a player I've always admired and went through some tough times with us."

Recently, the top-seeded Pacers (41-13) have struggled – performing inconsistently over the past 10 games for a 6-4 record and losing ground to the Miami Heat who are only 1-1/2 games back in the Eastern Conference standings. Though Bird said the move came as a surprise, it strengthens the second unit and helps prepare Indiana for a long playoff run.

"I didn't think there was going to be anything there (with trades) that we're really looking for, but when this came up and caught our attention, and we thought maybe we should do it. Try to stabilize that second unit," Bird said. "Obviously, Lavoy Allen's another big body that can play and Evan Turner – I like guys who can play multiple positions. You can talk all you want about how he can't hit an outside shot, can't do this. I always look at the positive side of it. I think he's a kid who can come in right away and help us."

Bird, who is currently not in Indianapolis, described the "last-minute" deal that manifested only when Philadelphia called the team with Turner on the table. When the 76ers could not get a first-round pick for Turner – a 25-year-old swingman who can play the point guard through the small forward positions – the team reached out around 2:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the conclusion of the NBA trade deadline.

"What we try to do is go through the league two to three times early in the season. When I left, I told Kevin (Pritchard) to make one more run through the league and see what's there," Bird said, recalling his instructions given to the team's general manager. "(Pritchard) was talking to a couple teams about other things that are really nothing but then Philly called.

"I guess they figured they weren't going to get a first-round (pick) for Evan and they wanted to move him and we were there and we took it. I had to think about it for a while but decided to do it (and) move on."

Though Bird recalled this story in his regular matter-of-fact tone, he couldn't help but express some emotion about the departure of the 30-year-old Granger, who helped carry the team through the dark days after the brawl, several losing seasons and finally the dawn of the Paul George era. Second-year player Orlando Johnson was also released so that the Pacers could maintain the league-limit of 15 players on roster.

"It's just a tough deal," Bird said. "Danny's always been my favorite. I understand the disappointment. A lot of people say that I've been trying to trade him for a year and I haven't been doing that. I even told Danny that. I did tell him if a great opportunity arises, you can't say you'll never trade somebody."

Bird said that he had called Granger but as of early Friday afternoon, had not heard back from him.

"That's normal," Bird said. "I've talked to O.J., I've talked to Evan. I've talked to Lavoy, but it is what it is."

Candace Bucker writes for the Indianapolis Star