Rumor updates on Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Andre Drummond

Big name trades are rare but the DeMarcus Cousins situation taught us to expect unexpected things to happen from time to time. So while a move for any of the following names might not be very realistic, they are at least worth keeping tabs on.

So here are a few links and quotes to consider.

Andre Drummond

ESPN

The Detroit Pistons are welcoming offers on two players previously thought off-limits -- former All-Star center Andre Drummond and swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope -- as Thursday's trade deadline nears, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Pistons have not committed to trading either player but have also not discouraged offers from interested teams for ‎the two most prized names on their roster.

Jimmy Butler

David Aldridge via SBNation

“I think, the main sticking point there is that (Ainge) just does not want to give up Jae Crowder in a deal, and that's the guy that Chicago's insisting on right now in any package for Jimmy Butler,” Aldridge said on NBA TV. “Chicago, I think rightly, are saying 'You want our best player, we're not just going to do it for picks. We're not just going to take guys that you're not gonna keep on your roster. we want a guy that's going to be able to grow with us along with high picks.”

Paul George

The Vertical

The Indiana Pacers are gauging the trade market on All-Star forward Paul George, league sources told The Vertical.

The Pacers are working the trade deadline on parallel fronts: Pursuing deals that will bring talent into Indiana to sell George on signing a long-term extension – and soliciting deal offers on George that would signal a rebuild around center Myles Turner, league sources told The Vertical.

Sporting News

It is this reality, sources told Sporting News, that now has the Pacers reconsidering their commitment to keeping out of trade discussions involving star player Paul George ahead of Thursday’s deadline. In fact, the Kings’ experience with Cousins this week and the Jazz’s experience with their star point guard six years ago — Deron Williams — provides the Pacers with a blueprint on the benefits of decisive action on George.

“The last thing that Larry Bird wants,” one source told Sporting News, “is to be in the position Vlade Divac was in this past weekend.

Stay tuned.

Bonus fun tweet: