Although an ESPN report classified pre-draft trade talks between the Cavaliers, Nuggets, and Pacers regarding Paul George and Kevin Love as “serious,” Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com spoke to a source who downplayed the rumor, suggesting a deal was never close and is unlikely to happen now.
Vardon suggests that the Pacers “obviously weren’t interested” in their end of the potential trade, which is corroborated by Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net. According to Amico, the Cavaliers and Nuggets both wanted to get something done, but the Pacers were hesitant. Amico notes that the exact details of the proposed offer aren’t known, but Indiana likely would’ve received one player from Cleveland and at least two from Denver, including Kenneth Faried.
Here’s more from out of Cleveland:
- The Cavs are having trouble finding teams willing to take on the contracts of Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye, according to Amico, who says Cleveland would like to move both players before training camp. One GM of a lottery team tells Amico that his club may be willing to trade for Frye later, but only after waiting to see how his roster takes shape in free agency. Amico adds that Shumpert may have been discussed in talks with the Pacers.
- The Cavaliers have discussed a possible three-way trade with the Knicks, but Carmelo Anthony‘s stand-off with Phil Jackson appears to be complicating New York’s chances of getting anything major done, says Amico.
- In a piece for Basketball Insiders, James Blancarte wonders if Love is being undervalued by NBA fans and observers. If that’s the case, NBA execs may be guilty of it too — Amico writes that teams have thus far been unwilling to offer a ton for Love since it’s widely known the Cavs are looking to move him.
- The Cavs still have no resolution on their front office situation. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported on Sunday evening (via Twitter) that talks between the team and Chauncey Billups were ongoing, with no immediate resolution anticipated. Nearly two full days later, there have been no real updates. Cleveland reportedly offered Billups a five-year deal to become the team’s new president of basketball operations.
wat the hec is the pacers doing…. do they really think their gonna get ah better trade than that…. that’s ah great trade… Kevin love and feried
Pacers weren’t getting Love. The real culprit here is Larry Bird, whom no one seems to blame for this mess. He knew in advance of the issues with PG, and decided to walk away from the top spot and leave Kevin Pritchard with having to deal with it.
It would have been Love to Denver, George to Cleveland, Faried + other pieces to Indiana.
Except the Pacers don’t get Love. Soooooooo, they probably are in fact looking to add something better than Faried and what likely was Shumpert.
Thing is I don’t see the Pacers getting a better return. It is a guy on lame duck contract that has basically said he is signing with the Lakers after the season. The only teams that are going to give anything up are teams that think they can win a championship this year. Let’s be honest that is a 2 team race of now. Obviously there are still moves to be made and Chris Paul signing in Houston or San Antonio could change things. As they stand now my guess is eventually George lands in Cleveland and Pacers fan are really upset about the return.
as a Pacer fan I’m starting to think their front office had no clue wat their doing!!!!
They should have taken the Lakers offer! Dumb!
Exactly…two young pieces like Randle and Clarkson would have been great. I think if the Lakers add Corey Brewer or Tyler Ennis and a future first round pick to the deal it’ll get done.
I don’t understand why the Pacers would turn down Love for George. 3 years of an All-Star caliber player for a guy that basically told you I don’t want to be here. Even if you don’t like Love you can move him for assets that fit your needs better and you don’t have top rush to do it.
Because they want young assets. They messed up not taking lakers offer.
The problem is no one is trading for Love because no one is competing with Cleveland or warriors. So why trade young assetts for your team when you won’t win. The only teams even close to Cleveland or GS are Boston, Minnesota, Spurs, Rockets, Washington, Clippers.
Love can’t go to Boston or DC because that’s your rival and you don’t want to make them better. Minnesota Spurs clippers set for big men. rockets would be the only team realistically Love could be dealt to.
The cavs have one asset and that’s Kyrie. Trade him along with shumpert, TT and or frye to the pacers for George. Use freed up money sign chris Paul cavs don’t miss a beat. Carmelo or Wade one will be bought and join and wouldn’t surprise me if both do if CP is in Cleveland they can all get their wish to play together. Cavs can find a big man to replace TT they are a dime a dozen. GS won’t be able to keep up with a team of Love, George, Lebron, Chris Paul, Melo and or Wade and not counting any veterans taking a discount to play there.
Fair to say that if nearly a week has gone by and Chauncey has still not yet said yes to the Cavaliers… maybe he is the wrong guy? Maybe there were other indicators that maybe he was no Griff too…