Report: Nuggets tried to land Kevin Love in three-team deal

The Denver Nuggets reportedly discussed a three-team trade with the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers that would have sent Kevin Love to Denver, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

In the proposed trade, the Nuggets would get Love from Cleveland, while the Cavs would receive Paul George from Indiana. According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Denver would send power forward Kenneth Faried to the Cavs in the proposed deal. Stein also reports that Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, and Emmanuel Mudiay are “available”, but it’s not known if they’re the exact players included in talks. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are “off-limits” per Stein as well.

With George’s growing desire to be a Los Angeles Laker, whether that comes this year or next summer when the 27-year-old can hit free agency, the Pacers face mounting pressure to trade the four-time All-Star.

The Cavaliers figure to be a logical landing spot for George, as he’s a two-way player who could provide some resistance to Kevin Durant if Cleveland and Golden State continue on their collision course towards next year’s finals.

The Nuggets struck out on two proposed trades on draft night that would have brought some star power to Denver in Jimmy Butler and Eric Bledsoe. Love might have been a third name Denver inquired about last Thursday.

“We had a lot (of conversations about trades). Some were leaked,” Nuggets’ president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said. “We were very far along with one we thought was done and then at the 11th hour. One of the teams involved had a change of heart. We had countless conversations. One in particular that we thought had frankly was going to take place.”

The Nuggets are expected to pursue free agents Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap this summer according to ESPN as well.

Stein and Haynes note that the proposed trade was seriously talked about at last week’s draft but Indiana is still looking to trade George before he can leave the franchise next season.