With an assist from ESPN.com colleague Brian Windhorst, here's the first of what figures to be multiple dispatches this week rounding up some of the latest chatter on the personnel grapevine as the NBA's trade deadline approaches Thursday afternoon:
The Cavaliers have been adamant for weeks that Kevin Love is going nowhere, but the chatter about potential Love deals won't go away until the deadline passes Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, since even Cavs GM David Griffin has acknowledged that "there's no such thing as untouchables."
But league sources say that the Cavs have made it clear to interested teams -- starting, of course, with the Love-hungry Boston Celtics -- that they'd covet a star in return if or when they do reach the point of letting Love go ... and not a package of draft picks and role players like the Celtics are offering.
Despite his past and recent shoulder woes, Love holds extensive value not only because of his history of production but also because he still has three guaranteed seasons left on his current contract. But some rival executives increasingly believe that given the Cavs' expectations in such a trade and the complexity of moving a star in midseason, it's more likely that Cleveland seriously considers Love pitches in June or July, after it sees how the postseason plays out as well as what new coach Tyronn Lue gets out of the former All-Star in the playoffs.
Sources say that the Cavs, though, have been more and more active in recent days in pursuing upgrades to their bench, with center Timofey Mozgov and swingman Iman Shumpert -- both in the midst of down seasons after their midseason arrivals in 2014-15 -- said to be available. Players who interest Cleveland, sources say, include dream target Kyle Korver (who would naturally be very difficult to pry from Atlanta) and Kings reserves Ben McLemore and Kosta Koufos.
The aforementioned McLemore, sources say, is working with the Kings to try to find a new home via trade. Sacramento made the same pledge to veteran swingman Caron Butler as far back as December.
Word is that the Kings, who are desperate to end a playoff drought spanning nine seasons and counting before moving into a new building next season, prefer immediate help in trade talks more than future picks.
The Raptors are chasing a power forward this week. Sources say Brooklyn's Thaddeus Young, New Orleans' Ryan Anderson, Denver's Kenneth Faried and the Phoenix duo of Markieff Morris and P.J. Tucker have all been pursued this month by the East's No. 2 team.
Sources say that Bucks center Greg Monroe, contrary to recent speculation, is not being made available. Despite the Bucks' 22-32 struggles in Monroe's first season in Milwaukee, they're not looking to surrender their marquee free-agent newcomer before he completes his first season in town.
The Bucks, sources say, are also turning aside the calls they're getting on young forward Jabari Parker, who continues to recover from ACL surgery, but point guard Michael Carter-Williams is undeniably gettable.
The youth-laden Magic have made it known they are in the market for veterans as they continue to slide out of playoff contention. Sources say Orlando has been willing to discuss the prospect of moving some of its more familiar names, including former No. 2 overall pick Victor Oladipo and the recently re-signed Tobias Harris.
The Magic are likewise among the teams that have chased Hawks point guard Jeff Teague.
The Knicks, who also strongly covet Teague in their search for a front-line point guard, are trying their best to get a team interested in Jose Calderon and the $7.7 million owed to the Spaniard next season. Sources say New York is talking up Calderon's leadership qualities and, in some cases, offering to include big man Kyle O’Quinn to sweeten proposals.