The biggest trade of the NBA offseason remains in flux, as the Cavaliers determine what their next move is after conducting a physical exam on Isaiah Thomas‘ troublesome hip. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link), the two teams have until 9:00am central time on Thursday to finalize an agreement on the trade, though they could agree to extend that deadline.
As Kyler explains (Twitter links), the concern from the Cavaliers’ side appears to stem from the Celtics‘ assessment of Thomas’ hip. Boston believed that the veteran point guard wouldn’t require surgery on his hip, but Cavs doctors aren’t as certain about that diagnosis, which is why Cleveland is believed to be seeking further compensation. Still, as of Sunday, the Cavs hadn’t formally asked the C’s for more pieces, per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
Here’s more on the mega-deal as we wait to see if it becomes fully official:
- If the Cavaliers fear that Thomas will miss a chunk of the 2017/18 season due to the hip injury, acquiring another asset that could help them improve their point guard depth figures to be a priority, tweets Kyler. Kyler suggests (via Twitter) that adding Terry Rozier to the Irving deal could be one option, but notes that adding another draft pick would also make sense, since that pick could potentially be attached to Iman Shumpert in a separate trade.
- Speaking of Shumpert, the Cavs are still looking to trade him, writes Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com. Pluto adds that there’s still not much interest in Shumpert, who will be difficult to move, though Kyler tweets that teams like the Rockets, Mavericks, and Bulls have expressed some interest — it’s not clear if those teams are all still viable trade partners for Cleveland.
- Both teams have plenty to lose if they were to void this trade, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, who expects the Celtics and Cavs to find a way to get it done, even if one team is a bit less happy about the outcome. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com also presents five reasons why the deal will eventually be completed.
- At least one player involved in the trade apparently anticipates it being finalized. As Vardon details in a Cleveland.com article, Jae Crowder has been photographed wearing Cavaliers gear. Vardon adds (via Twitter) that Crowder took his physical with the Cavs last week and is looking forward to playing for the franchise.
I think Rozier and a second from Boston’s, with Tavares going back to the C’s would make sense for both.
Cavs could use backcourt depth if IT is out for a spell, and Boston could use a big. Also, Cavs may not want to add salary for tax reasons, and with Tavares and Rozier’s salaries basically cancelling each other out, it would be ideal.
Cavs want to much they don’t need all these players they lost one player and gained two more they already have a stacked team with Lebron jr love d rose Jeff green Thompson now Thomas and crowder and they also have korver they are greedy
But they will be without IT for most of the season. Rose will almost certainly get hurt and korver and Jeff green are on the down slope in their careers. Their “stacked” team truly only consists of 2 players. The celtics are more stacked than the cavs. Whats one extra pick sacrificed to acquire a better pg who you haven’t made feel betrayed.
Lakers pick, Tatum, Brown, all three, doesn’t matter… Celtics got Kyrie. Mission accomplished. Now complete the trade and go compete. Celtics fans need to stop whining about process. Unless, that is, they already know they can’t get past LeBron… oops, that is it, isn’t it? Oh my, that is unfortunate. I get it now. Tough one chowds.
Giving up Tatum or brown, is a mistake, as one or both could start at points in the season
Like kyrie wouldn’t start hahaha
Trolly you are right. The celtics win hands down by getting kyrie. They have a legit chance with him to get past the cavs and make it to the finals. But that appears will only happen if they are willing to sacrifice another asset to get him.
But they knew that when they agreed to the trade. Just because they were stupid a week ago doesn’t mean their greed is justified now.
Dude..what are you missing? They saw the medical reports but are not allowed to conduct an in person medical exam with your own medical staff until the deal is submitted to the NBA office. All deals, NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL the Suriname National soccer league, all have the same protocol. The Cavs medical team saw something that was a red flag. Why is that so difficult to accept?
Lol who is this guy
They are greedy because they want close to equal value for Irving? Think on that. The GSW have Curry, Durant and Green. Should they then be happy and willing to trade Klay Thompson for Crowder and a #1 pick just because they have other star players on the team?
I don’t think anyone in this deal would be winners, don’t matter who is involved.
First of all Celtics don’t want IT and obviously they don’t want to give him a max contract and they don’t see him finishing his career with them. To me they just wanted to improve his stock so they can trade him for a better and younger PG who they can build around like Irving. Don’t matter what you say, Irving is better than IT, period!!! Yes IT scored more points per game and I can see Irving averaging the same if he played for Boston. Boston didn’t want crowder anyway cuz they wanted to develop their young players so the draft pick was the only good thing that got cavs attention and again we all don’t know where the pick will land cuz it’s a lottery pick which means you could or lose or win. If they don’t get the top 5 then they are screwed.
Irving is wanted by the cavs and all of the teams in the NBA. Cavs obviously prefers to keep him than accepting the trade even though he says he wants to be traded and won’t go to training camp. And Irving is a better investment than the top lottery pick cuz he’s in his prime and already a proven all star even an hall of fame! And if Lebron decides to leave next season then they still have Irving to build around. Even if he sits out a whole season they are still good enough to be the top 2 in the east with their deep roster and assuming Wade will join them after his buyout.
I understand cavs part as they want to get most as possible out of the deal. I would pick Tatum over all of the players in the deal cuz I can see him being an all star one day and a good replacement for Lebron if he decides to leave next season.
So Irving is wanted and IT is not wanted. IT would honestly be just a rental for one year and no team wants to invest in him or give him a max contract, it’s just a fact!
Finally, if I was the cavs I would wait until Tatum is on the table then we will talk. Boston has already damaged goods with IT and he probably don’t want to go back as he already feels disrespected so it will force Boston to make a decision before training camp.
U would be waiting a long time. Tatum will wear green. IT didn’t want surgery. He is playing for a contract. Take it or leave it Cavs. Training camp is coming….Kyrie is not coming. Enjoy the soap opera Mr. Dilbert!
You say that as if Thomas won’t be an issue if he had to come back to the Celtics. You’re a joke. Cavs can deal with any other team that wants Irving. The Celts are stuck with IT and if he’s not healthy, guess what? Your starting PG/SG combo would be one of the worst in the NBA.
Rookie Demetrius Jackson played only 5 games last year.
Terry Rozier might have talent but he shot 37% from the floor and only 31% from the 3pt line.
Marcus Smart is decent but can’t shoot. 36% from the floor and 28% from the 3pt line,
James Young doesn’t even really possess a resume to speak of.
To have a unhappy, injured Thomas who has no reason to show loyalty to the Celtics who WILL and SHOULD be focused on getting healthy so he can try and get the best contract possible is going to be a MAJOR issue in the locker room and if you don’t think so then you are really, really not seeing this clearly.
Cavs have leverage simply because they DON’T have to trade Irving to the Celtics and can peddle him elsewhere.
void the trade and let the Cadavers implode
You spelled Celtics wrong
Haha
troll
Hmmm……
LBJ/Rose/Love/Thompson/Smith + whoever they acquire for Irving (Bledsor or Brogdon/Middleton).
vs
An unhappy and possibly unavailable Thomas along with Crowder/Hayward/Horford/Smart and or Rozier.
Cavs have options for Irving. What options would they have to move Thomas and come close to equal value?
Meaning what options would the Celtics have to move Thomas, especially with his injury concerns been so highlighted as an issue?
Why does Thomas have to be moved? If he wants a max deal it’s in his best interest to play hard for any team including the Celtics. Boston will be just fine if the trade is voided. I’m more concerned about Crowder, really.
He doesn’t HAVE to be moved but for obvious reasons, Ainge wants to move him. Thomas is a tough guy but if he can’t take the court because of his hip then his heart and desire to play mean nothing. He’s looking for a big payday next year. You think he’s going to play injured and risk further damage for the Celtics (or anyone’s) benefit. He MUST be able to play on the court for him to have value.
They would be wise to do whatever it takes to move him now because he won’t return to the celtics next year when his contract is up after seeing his (former) celtics fans burn his jersey
would love that from milwaukees perspective..
Trade will be completed.
Would have been axed already if either side wantedit cancelled.
There’s a lot to think about, and doctors too. It seems like the trigger on it was pretty quick after the first round of talks ended.
Yup, by the media, and us.
In reality, the 2 teams are haggling a little, and a minor tweak will take care of everything.
Rozier is too good an asset to throw in if IT is really OK, and only going to miss the start of the year and will be fully healthy after that, and not good enough if IT is mostly likely going to be gone for the year (at least as the player he’s been the last couple of years). I still think IT should come out of the deal. Put in Rozier and something else (for matching and value). Boston might get that something else by moving IT elsewhere. Having raised the flags they have, how do the Cavs take him on and explain it to the fans in LeBron’s last year when he’s hurt? We bought a lottery ticket?
Hey T-Wolves. Kyrie Butler and KAT! Are you kidding me?
just trade medical staffs. problem solved.
Alternatives for Irving trade:
PHX: 1st, Bledsoe, Bender (as interior D prospect) (known)
PHX: +Shumpert: 1st, Bledsoe, Tyson Chandler, Davon Reed (perimeter D+3 2nd-round prospect, currently injured)(Phx still has rights to RFA Alex Len, Chandler’s replacement)
UTAH: Rodney Hood, Donovan Mitchell (pick 13 PG), Derrick Favors (post, 26, expiring, injured a lot, production declined last year; team signed PFs Jerebko & Udoh)(Utah Gs are Rubio, Alec Burks, Joe Johnson)
UTAH: + Shump: same, plus Burks or Johnson, since Irving would be a 2 there.
DENVER: 1st, Kenneth Faried, Jamal Murray. This was probably offered already. Faried is 6-8 but I like him as C vs GSW. Team has Jokic, signed Milsap at his PF. They have a variety of good O/bad D players on low salries especially Murray, signed 3more yrs.
SPURS: + Shumpert the new Simmons: Pat Mills, Aldridge, Kyle Anderson. SA needs an Irving; their guards are unthreatening Mills, Green and Ginobli, they got swept by GSW, neither Leonard nor Aldridge desires to be the ‘face’ of the franchise, Irving wants to be there so would likely re-sign, fans not happy with the offseason, Pops not happy with Aldridge. Anderson supposedly can play some wing D. Kid Murray might be preferred to Mills at PG, then without Shumpert needed for matching.
BUCKS: Supposedly Brogdon, Middleton, & 1st offered. A very attractive backcourt but not as ‘starry’ as Gilbert might like. They have been offering shotblocker John Henson so a Shumpert swap is possible. A roster like Denver’s but with GianA. Check ’em out
N.Y.: +Shumpert: Melo, Oquinn. Just sayin’.
CLIPS: +Shumpert: Jordan, Beverly, if team struggles
N.O.: Davis… Cousins… team possibly will struggle
MEMPHIS: Gasol… Conley… team probably will struggle
VOID BOSTON, void facing Irving in playoffs!
Although… some of these prospective deals would also be available with Brk’s #1. Enough options, void
Okay reviewing my list I see that I am reluctant to assign Shumpert negative trade value at $22MM owed. So cross off those options probably, sorry Imam
Yeesh.
It’s funny no other teams have offered anything close to what the C’s gave up but all you GM on think you know what’s best all the trade rumors we have heard about are rumors or as are crappie prez says fake news this trade will go down as is or the C’s add a 2nd that’s it so let’s get over this and stop crying about sh t that hasn’t happened yet
My head hurts trying to read your post. It’s like the divinci code.
Mcase meet .
. meet Mcase
I would say the Suns offer of Bledsoe, their #1 pick (which can be just as good as Brooklyn’s) and the two other guys (back up and a young project player whose names escape me) is just below what the Celts offer IF Thomas was healthy. The fact that he may miss significant time is the issue. If he can’t play until December, later than that or not at all, then the Celtics package sucks as it boils down to the 1st rnd and Jae Crowder who wouldn’t be a starter for the Cavs. That being said, the Suns had the 2nd worst record right behind Brooklyn. Even with Kyrie I think the Suns will struggle in a much tougher Western conference and will still end up being a bottom 4 team in the NBA. So no, if Thomas is hurt then the Celtics package isn’t as attractive because as important as the 1st rnd pick is competing for a NBA title in what can be LBJ’s last year is still priority #1. You don’t commit to paying $70 mil in lux tax without a championship being the #1 focus.
“May not be able to start the season” and “may not be able to start the season by Feb.” are two very different things. If IT can’t play the deal gets voided. There is no pick that can save anything. It’s unfortunate but that’s the way it is. You can’t play a season with Rose and Cauldaron as your point guards especially after trading Irving to your biggest rival. Just void the thing already and move on.