The Cleveland Cavaliers have not engaged in any serious talks with the Orlando Magic or Los Angeles Lakers about facilitating a Dwight Howard trade, according to The Akron Beacon Journal.

On Wednesday, ESPN.com reported that the cavs "may have inched ahead" of the Houston Rockets as a facilitator for a Howard deal. But according to The Beacon Journal, there was really nothing to report:

The Cavaliers have been discussed as a trade partner with the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic as facilitators in a trade involving Dwight Howard, but there is no substance to the talks and no deal is remotely close to being concluded, a league source with knowledge of the talks confirmed Wednesday.

ESPN.com reported Wednesday that the Cavs have moved ahead of the Houston Rockets as a facilitator in a deal with the Lakers and Magic, but a league source maintained this is all a leverage tactic to get the Rockets to up their offer for Howard.

According to the Beacon Journal, the Cavaliers -- unlike the Rockets -- have shown little interest in including any of their young players in deals. The Beacon Journal also reports that Kyrie Irving's hand injury will have no impact on trade talks.

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