While the Cavaliers couldn't pull off a trade for the Indiana Pacers' Paul George on draft night, they are still in pursuit of the four-time All-Star, ESPN's Chris Haynes and Marc Stein reported Sunday night.
According to the ESPN report, discussions leading up to Thursday's draft had Kevin Love going to the Denver Nuggets, the Cavs landing George and the Pacers receiving a package of young players and draft picks. The Pacers are intent on trading George after his agent informed them next season will be George's last in Indianapolis.
A tweet from Haynes on Sunday evening said one of the scenarios also had the Nuggets' Kenneth Faried coming to Cleveland. Faried, 27, a 6-foot-8 power forward, has averaged 11.9 points and 8.5 rebounds over six seasons in Denver.
According to the ESPN report, one of the Nuggets' off-season priorities is to upgrade the power forward position, which would be settled with the acquisition of Love.
Love, 28, had his best statistical season in his three with the Cavs, averaging 19 points and 11.1 rebounds. In the playoffs, those numbers were 18.9 points and 11.9 rebounds. He hit 20 points and 10 rebounds in four of 18 playoff games and recorded a double-double in eight of 18.
Haynes' and Stein's report also said the Cavs will be a leading contender to obtain Carmelo Anthony should the New York Knicks buy out his contract in the offseason. Anthony, 33, has two years remaining on his contract, the second a player option, but Knicks president Phil Jackson has repeatedly said Anthony should finish out his career elsewhere.
