Kyrie Irving has a new home as the disgruntled Cavaliers All-Star was traded to the Celtics as part of a four-player trade that also sends the Nets‘ unprotected 2018 first-round pick to Cleveland. On the surface, it seems that the Irving saga is over; all involved parties can move on, and things can retain a sense of normalcy.
Wrong.
This latest chapter is just beginning as the trade and its ramifications will be examined under a microscope that won’t even reflect Isaiah Thomas’ alleged growth spurt. Thomas, who will head to Cleveland as part of the trade, will do so with questions surrounding his hip — the same hip that caused him to miss most of the playoffs in 2016/17. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge spoke to reporters, including ESPN’s Jeff Goodman (Twitter link) on a conference call Tuesday night and indicated that Thomas’ troubled hip played “some” part in the decision to consummate a deal.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that the Celtics expected a mix of rehab and rest would bring Thomas back to full health. Now, the Cavaliers plan with Thomas is to “monitor closely” as he recovers, adding that the team is “anxious” to give him a physical. However, Wojnarowski adds that Cleveland has “no short term concerns” with Thomas’ hip and instead view him as a player entering his contract year with extra motivation.
Thomas indicated multiple times this offseason that his goal is to land a maximum contract in free agency. In an interview with Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Herald earlier this month, Thomas said he feels confident about landing a max deal.
“Very confident,” Thomas said. “I deserve it. I put the work in, and you can put me down against any guard in the NBA. . . . My numbers are up there with the best players in the world, and my team is winning. So, I mean, you have to reward that.”
Thomas, 28, is not the only player in the deal who will reach free agency soon. Irving is set to hit the open market in 2019, but Wojnarowski reported that Irving is “thrilled” to join Boston and that the Celtics made the deal with a “great chance” to re-sign him (Twitter Link).
“Kyrie is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He has proven that on the biggest stage, the NBA Finals, the last three years,” Ainge said in a press release announcing the trade. “He’s been an NBA champion, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and a four-time All-Star. For all he’s accomplished, we think his best years are ahead of him.”
Factoring in the rest of Cleveland’s return (Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the aforementioned draft pick), the team secured a sizeable haul in exchange for a player who, for all his talented, reportedly wanted out. Pairing a healthy Thomas with Crowder’s defense along with LeBron James, Kevin Love and lower-tier talents like Derrick Rose and Tristan Thompson makes for a dynamic team.
Likewise, adding Irving to a group that includes Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown gives Boston a young, athletic, and yet still seasoned core of talent.
Whether or not that draft pick lands Cleveland a game-changing talent, Thomas or Irving re-sign with their new teams, or if any of the secondary pieces pan out will the be major storylines to watch. The analysis of this trade will take on a new life when the Cavaliers welcome the Celtics to Cleveland on opening night October 17.
Do you think this trade works out well for both sides? Do you think Thomas’ hip injury will be an issue? Will Irving cement himself as Boston’s primary option? Sound off in the comments below!
Bad trade for Celtics, need zizic for rebounding and IT and Kyrie are very similar on offense and the loss of Crowder is a much bigger defensive loss than the Kyrie’s offense.
Not really. Crowder’s defense can be replaced by Morris since Crowder was most likely the 4 this year while Zizic was still going to be behind Aron Baynes in the depth chart anyways.
not if morris goes to jail first lmao
Only way Cleveland should re-sign Thomas is if he gets the ring with Lebron this coming year which I think they have a very high chance of winning now because of Crowder’s versatility as a defender and ability to score off the bench. Cleveland lacked bench scoring and defense against GS and they patched both up with this move.
Thomas does not need to start. He doesn’t even have to play until he’s sure he can go fiercely.
Such a mix at Guard!
Center still needs help though.
Probasketballreference has already updated the roster!
After Summer League, Celtics fans declared Zizic an All Star so Cavaliers should be fine with him and Thompson there.
This Celtics fan was not impressed at all with Zizic in the summer league. Especially coming off all the hype over seas. I’m still baffled by the trade. I don’t know how I feel yet, I hope it works out for the Celtics, but I can’t shake the feeling that we may of helped fix a broken Cavs team. And on another note, if your burning an IT Jersey don’t call yourself a Celtics fan!
I mean Thomas definitely needs to start. Who else would? Kay Felder or Jose Calderon lmao
Derick Rose could start for awhile. Then to the bench when IT is ready.
Considering the position Cleveland was put in, I think the return is more than expected with the draft pick included. And depending where that pick lands, Cleveland may be positioned to do really well going forward. Good deal for Boston, great deal for Cleveland.
Both teams did amazing. Cleveland got great compensation and shored up depth issues while Boston acquired arguably a Top 3 point guard in the league without having to give up Brown, Tatum, Smart, or the Lakers pick they acquired.
Bad trade for Celtics but at least we won’t get stuck with IT on a max deal
This trade could be a win-win, but Celtics gave up a lot so the Cavs definitely got what they deserved.
Irving has 2 years left before his opt out
I spent all night trying to figure out how Boston got better with this trade. Once it made sense, I think it’s a win for both sides. Boston gets a premier talent, Cleveland gets a great defender and a good scorer, plus a wild card in Zizic and the draft pick. And if LeBron leaves next summer, then we won’t have a 4 year rebuild, having already gotten a start retooling.
x%sure no they didn’t, idk what you talm bout
Ha! I use their salary list page. They call it “NBA contracts summary” and then “____ ____ team payroll”. It had a couple gaps this offseason so I was surprised it was right on this trade. But I see their regular roster page is still not updated. Maybe they’re waiting for IT’s physical to pass… lol @SD Speak For Myself
Dear Mr. Dilbert: you got fleeced! You could have done better! Your rookie GM traded without IT taking a physical. So you got a small fry who can’t guard anyone…has a gimpy hip on a one year rental. LBJ will force your hand to get another star and the Nets pick will be moved. Suffer!