One of the most surprising things about the blockbuster trade that sent Kyrie Irving from Cleveland to Boston this week was the Cavaliers‘ willingness to deal with their closest conference rival, just months after facing the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Cavs did try to find a deal with a Western team, having worked the Suns and Nuggets “pretty hard.” Cleveland also had some discussions with the Spurs and Clippers, but those clubs didn’t have the right combination of assets to really intrigue the Cavs, Kyler adds. Eventually, the Cavs circled back to the Celtics, who had expressed interest in Irving earlier and could put together the right sort of package to appeal to Cleveland.
Kyler’s latest piece at Basketball Insiders includes many more notes on the Irving deal, so let’s round up some of the highlights…
- After news of his trade request leaked, Irving essentially stopped talking to the Cavaliers, sources close to the situation tell Kyler. Even before that news came out, the Cavs hadn’t heard much from Irving’s camp after he informed them of his desire to be moved, per Kyler.
- Sources close to Irving tell Kyler that the star point guard was very aware of the age difference between him and many of his Cavaliers teammates. Irving is looking forward to joining a roster that features more players around his age, and hopes that he can build stronger connections and become more of a team leader rather than being viewed as a “little brother,” according to Kyler.
- Kyler hears that new Cavaliers GM Koby Altman spoke to LeBron James on Tuesday after completing the deal. Although LeBron had hoped the relationship between Irving and the team could be repaired, he’s happy to have closure on the situation, says Kyler.
- The Irving trade hasn’t changed James’ stance on his future — the four-time MVP enjoys having options and the freedom to make his own choices when the time comes, and doesn’t intend to give that up by locking himself into anything early, says Kyler. This stance was reflected in a series of pro-player tweets issued by LeBron earlier today.
They have no fear.
Is there someone out there who could explain to me what might happen if IT failed his Cavs physical? I can’t find answers.
I know in baseball, the team has has the right to decline the trade. But other reports on here indicated the Celtics feared IT’s long term future health and the Cavs do not.
The way it sounds is the cavs know about the hip but there not worried about it if it was a big problem they wouldn’t have announced the trade but if it was a problem they trade would just be nullified in less the cavs take someone other than IT4
Hope Celtics suck just base on this dude and there fans for burning IT jersey
You wish bad fortune on a team because of one sucky fan? Wow.
No way bro. Although most of us Green Hearts are ecstatic over this highway robbery, we are all sad to see a REAL MAN like IT leave town. He is just a super cool dude and I hope his hip problem doesn’t linger bc he deserves a big payday, just not a super max. And Crowder’s not a bad guy either, sticks up for his team and plays harder than his talent! Just, really, Irving? Man we gotta just say “thank you” for giving us one of the last 2 missing pieces the C’s needed in order to raises #18 to the rafters…