Cleveland Cavaliers have more competition now to land Paul George

If the Cleveland Cavaliers really wants to add Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, then they better step up their negotiations.

Technically, Paul George could play for all 30 teams during the upcoming season (if all were willing to adjust their cap and rosters accordingly). However, he really only has a few options and one of them is the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Like Cleveland, most trade destinations will need the help of a third team. Should the Cavaliers land George, hopefully they can secure him in a long-term deal sooner rather than later.

If George does not play for Cleveland or Indiana, other teams that have been creating a buzz have been the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. Both could use them, but there is a new team that should be considered legitimate competition to Cleveland for George and they are the Houston Rockets.

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On Wednesday, according to The Vetical‘s Adrian Wojnarowksi, Houston decided to make a blockbuster trade for Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul. In return, the Rockets gave up a top-three protected first round pick in 2018, forward Sam Dekker, point guard Patrick Beverly, and guard Lou Williams.

Despite that report, more has been added to that trade. Thanks to other smaller trades, according to TNT‘s David Aldridge, Houston also dealt power forward Montrezl Harrell (from their roster), power forward Ryan Kelly via the Atlanta Hawks, guard DeAndre Liggins via the Dallas Mavericks, and guard Tim Quarterman via the Portland Trail Blazers to the Clippers.

So, how does that influence Cleveland? According to ESPN, Houston is looking to add even more stars, specifically George.

With no official general manager in Cleveland, this is the chance for other teams to surpass them to acquire a talent like George. Hopefully Cleveland realizes that and does whatever it takes to stop all of this and land George.

Cleveland will need a third team and there are a number of scenarios the Cavs go with. There has been a lot of talk of them dealing power forward/center Kevin Love.

Some may not like Love, but he has been a better play than fellow big man Tristan Thompson. Besides, it is not like Love is like some scrub. He is an all-star and one of the better players in the league.

It is clear that Houston is going all in to not only take over the Golden State Warriors in the west, but also try to win next season’s championship. Of course they would have to get past Cleveland to do that.

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Rather than waiting around and watching what happens, it would be great to see Cleveland trade what is needed via a three-team trade to land Paul, but with one exception: Keep Love if possible and move other pieces. George is only going to be available for so much longer.

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