Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was only supposed to introduce his new general manager Koby Altman and take on Kyrie Irving trade rumors during his press conference on Wednesday. Instead, he drew attention by jabbing at the Indiana Pacers for the modest return they got when trading All-Star forward Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert says Pacers ‘could have done better’ in Paul George trade
The Pacers traded George to the Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Gilbert let it be known they could have done better.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert on Pacers trading Paul George: "I will say Indiana could have done better than they did."
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) July 26, 2017
“I will say Indiana could have done better than they did,” Gilbert said, unprompted, as Altman concluded his comments about trade discussions with Indiana.
The Pacers dealt George, a four-time All-Star, to the Thunder in late June in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Oladipo disappointed in his lone season in Oklahoma City and is on an exorbitant contract worth $21 million over each of the next four seasons. Sabonis averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 20 minutes per game as a rookie with the Thunder, shooting just over 32 percent from downtown.
The deal came as a head-scratcher after Indiana reportedly had several more attractive offers on the table. The Celtics held a host of picks and young players, including the No. 1 pick this year and multiple potential top-5 picks next season that Indiana could have recouped in a deal. The Pacers also had a three-team offer on the table, according to ESPN, that would have sent George to Cleveland, Kevin Love to Denver, and Gary Harris, along with the No. 13 pick and other assets from the Cavaliers to Indiana.
Instead, the Pacers eventually pulled out of the deal and settled for Oladipo and Sabonis, two young players with NBA experience who project to contribute immediately as the team builds around budding big man Myles Turner.
Other things Gilbert and Koby Altman said on Wednesday:
Dan Gilbert on Chauncey Billups: "He and I both agreed that the timing wasn't right." Said it had nothing to do with money.
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) July 26, 2017
Cavs GM Koby Altman on whether he will trade Kyrie Irving: "I don't want to talk about that. It's a fluid situation."
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) July 26, 2017
#Cavs Koby Altman just labeled Derrick Rose an "off-the-bench backup point guard" who is ready for that role
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) July 26, 2017
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