There are a number of rumors floating around the NBA regarding potential trades and two of the biggest names being mentioned are Indiana’s Paul George and Chicago’s Jimmy Butler.
Both are excellent two-way players who would drastically improve any team they were moved to. One team that has been linked to both is the Cleveland Cavaliers who are trying to improve themselves to compete with the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
It now looks like the Cavs won’t be able to deal for either as according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN Cleveland, they haven’t been able to build enough trade interest in Kevin Love:
Windy on George/Butler: "Nope. Not happening. The Cavs were not generating enough trade interest in Kevin Love."
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 22, 2017
Unfortunately for the Cavs, they are very low on tradable assets so any major deal would have to involve Love unless they were interested in giving up Kyrie Irving. Love not having much trade interest around the league severely limits their ability to make major improvements this summer.
Butler looks set to stay put in Chicago as despite rumors that he would push for a deal to Cleveland, he has since told the Chicago front office that he wants to stay there. George, on the other hand, is almost certain to be dealt.
The Pacers have been hopeful they can get a deal done before the draft, but the offers they have been receiving haven’t been great since teams believe he is Laker bound. A Cleveland deal being off the board is great news for the Lakers as it prevents the Pacers from creating a bidding war.
If the Lakers are the only team involved in a potential deal they should be able to acquire him for less than what he is worth. The two sides have been at a standstill, but things could change at any minute.