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Cavs rumors: Cleveland making another run at Paul George

By Nick Dudukovich

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around the defense of Royce O'Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz in the first half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around the defense of Royce O'Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz in the first half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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In Cavs rumors, Cleveland’s plan to keep LeBron James may hinge on whether the team finally gets a deal done for Paul George.

David Griffin couldn’t secure Paul George, but now, it looks as if current Cleveland GM Koby Altman will try to finish the deal, if your buying the latest Cavs rumors.

Cleveland will pursue George once he tells the Oklahoma City Thunder that he will not accept a contract with them, according to The Ringer.

The Thunder would then be forced into doing a sign-and-trade, just to get something for renting PG-13 for a year. I’ll call it a sign-and-trade, but that’s not really what it is.

Because the Cavs’ are in the repeater tax, they cannot accept a player in a sign-and-trade. George would have to opt into his contract for next year, and then be dealt to Cleveland.

Call it an opt-and-trade, I guess.

The eighth pick in this year’s draft and Kevin Love would be what the Cavs offer up in return. The Cavs would another contract as well, to make the money match.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor wrote:

"“Cleveland’s interest has waned…James and George will discuss teaming up with the Lakers this summer…but perhaps that discussion will end up including other teams like the Cavaliers.”"

O’Connor also threw out the idea of the No. 8 pick and salary filler (Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith) for George, and then Kevin Love to Portland for C.J. McCollum.

He admits its a fantasy…but a darn good one at that.

We’ll know in nine days if these rumors have any traction, with the NBA Draft commencing June 21.

The Cavs are handcuffed by the salary cap and their only mechanism to improve is centered around the Brooklyn pick.

For things to start trending in the Cavs’ direction regarding James’ return, Altman’s got to figure out a way to flip that pick into a superstar who can help James win a title.

Cleveland could always move the player they take with the eighth selection, but one would think a team would rather make their own decision when the clock is ticking on draft draft night.

Realistically, though, if the pick is not traded, chances are the rebuilding process will have begun.

Next: 6 moves the Cavs must make this offseason

This pick makes a whole heck-of-a-lot more sense than Josh Cribbs’ rumor of Russell Westbrook coming to Cleveland, but we shall see.

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