To me it sounds like front office gave orders to spread the word that Favors wasn't apart of it to save face because Cavs are keeping the pick.
Here's what I think has happened.
1. Jazz and Cavs were in serious discussion over the trade. Jazz likely initiated the conversation.
2. Jazz offer was, indeed, Favors, the #5 and the #23.
3. Cleveland countered with Favors, the #5 and next year's unprotected. Why? To save $ this season and to get an almost certain top-10 pick next year.
4. Dennis did not want to give up a completely unprotected pick so he offers Burks instead.
5. Cleveland gets miffed and leaks the trade info to the media.
6. Utah is LIVID that a leak has occurred. Remember how IRATE KOC got when the pre-season AK deal was rumored and then fell apart? Lindsey is cut from the same cloth. He's a professional who believes discussions should be kept between team officials until the handshake has been made and the FO's are just filling out the paperwork.
7. Cleveland throws out Orlando and Philly possibilities to pressure Utah to up their offer. And who knows how accurate those were? They could have been offers Cleveland made and didn't get past the first 30 seconds of the phone call.
8. Lindsey has now told Cleveland to take a flying leap, scolding them for their looseness in disclosing private conversations. Now he has to kiss and make up with Favors.