Dan Gilbert: Indiana could've 'done better' in Paul George trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers are constantly mired in controversy, but they still have the temerity to talk down on other franchises.

Cleveland's newly hired general manager Koby Altman tried to sidestep questions about some reported Paul George trade talks with the Indiana Pacers that fell short. George was linked to Cleveland, but Indiana ultimately flipped him to Oklahoma City.

Altman played the polite politician by saying George was just one of many trade targets discussed, but Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert showed little regard for niceties.

"I will say that Indiana could have done better than they did," Gilbert said Wednesday at Altman's introductory press conference.

The Pacers returned Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in exchange for George, who was one year away from free agency and determined to walk. Indiana may have been motivated to send George out of the East as to lessen the headaches of his eventual Indiana return as a visitor.

In accepting OKC's package, however, the Pacers passed on what Gilbert evidently felt like was a superior offer. Cleveland arranged for a three-way deal that would have seen George on the Cavs, Kevin Love in Denver, and Gary Harris off to the Pacers.