Paul George trade: Cavaliers are still in the mix for Pacers forward

The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't given up hope on pulling off a potential Paul George trade this offseason. Besides the Cavs, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets have reportedly made an aggressive run at the Indiana Pacers superstar in the last 48 hours. The Boston Celtics have also engaged the Pacers in discussions.

Though the Lakers are still the frontrunners to land George, due to the forward's insistence to sign with the Purple & Gold next summer, there are teams willing to gamble on the Pacers star as a one-year rental.

After ESPN reported Tuesday that the Cavaliers remain seriously interested in trading for both Jimmy Butler and George "but have encountered significant obstacles on both fronts," NBA insider Sam Amico of Amico Hoops tweeted late Wednesday that "contrary to some reports, Cavs (are) still in on Paul George, I'm told. Again, Pacers said to be hopeful of moving George by tomorrow (Draft Day) at latest."

The Cavs had previously tried to involve the Suns in a three-team trade with the Pacers which would have sent George to Cleveland, the No. 4 overall pick to Indiana and Kevin Love to Phoenix. The Pacers reportedly haven't shown any inclination to accept three years of Love, they would prefer draft picks and younger assets.

Paul George to Cavs trade unlikely without third team

"To land either Butler or George, sources said, Cleveland knows it would have to assemble a three-team trade (or one with more teams involved) -- likely costing the Cavs All-Star forward Kevin Love -- to manufacture the top-five draft pick Chicago and Indiana are known to covet in exchange for surrendering their respective best players," ESPN's Mark Stein wrote in a report published Tuesday.

According to Indy Star, a Paul George trade before Thursday's draft is no longer imminent. The report added that the Pacers front office is standing pat and hoping for better offers in the summer. If the 26-year-old George had qualified for an All-NBA team, the Pacers could have offered him a five-year super max contract extension worth approximately US$212 million (AU$282 million). The Pacers, who own George's Bird Rights, could still out-bid rival suitors by US$40 million (AU$53 million) on accounts of an additional year in the contract. The team that trades for George would stake claim to his Bird Rights.

George averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his seventh season for the Indiana Pacers. The two-way wing was drafted 10th overall by the Pacers in 2010. He led the Pacers to two Eastern Conference finals appearances besides making three All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. Stay tuned for the latest rumblings on a potential Paul George to Cavs trade, Lakers trade news and updates from the NBA offseason.