The Cavaliers and Celtics are still talking in an effort to complete the four-player deal that would send Kyrie Irving from Cleveland to Boston. While neither side has commented publicly on the reported snag, sources indicate the Cavs are seeking another asset because a physical on Friday showed that Isaiah Thomas‘ injured hip is in worse shape than they believed, while the Celtics are resisting the request.
Several writers are offering their perspectives on the trade this morning:
- If the Celtics do add another asset, it probably won’t be very significant, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. He notes that Boston was in a similar situation when it acquired Jeff Green from the Thunder in February of 2012. Green needed heart surgery 10 months later, and the Celtics petitioned the league for more compensation, claiming that Oklahoma City wasn’t forthcoming about Green’s condition. Former commissioner David Stern awarded Boston a second-round pick, which is what Blakely believes the Celtics would be willing to surrender to wrap up the Irving deal.
- Thomas was very upset about being traded away from the Celtics, writes Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com. The two-time All-Star played a major role in bringing free agent Gordon Hayward to Boston and had planned a long-term future there. Pluto states it would be a “miserable situation” if he has to return to the Celtics now. However, some executives that Pluto discussed the deal with expressed concerns of a potential clash in Cleveland, fearing that Thomas’ “alpha dog” persona may not be a good fit on a team where LeBron James is the unquestioned leader.
- The Cavaliers’ decision to hold up the deal is the latest indication of dysfunction in Cleveland, charges D.J. Bean of CSNNE. The franchise has been through a tumultuous summer, with GM David Griffin not being re-signed, then Chauncey Billups turning down a job to run the team. The front office chaos has played out against persistent rumors that James may be leaving town as a free agent next summer. Like Blakely, Bean thinks the Celtics will probably throw in a minimal asset to complete the trade.
The hip issue is only speculation at this point. Ainge should give nothing for now. If he misses some PT, then throw a bone in the dumpster. Mr. Dilbert might start missing Griffin some time soon.
It’s not speculation. Danny has already admitted it was a consideration. The issue now is that the Cavs were aware of it, made the trade, and are now having buyers remorse.
Or, just like Celtics fans, Ainge is maybe half as smart as he thinks he is and is about to pay for actualizing his stupidity. And for all this, still get to lose to LeBron this year and until he decides to stop beating them. Congrats!
Nice work living up to your name, troll.
This guy is worse than Dionis…Why are trolls even a thing
Wow trolly , I want to personally thank you for forcing me to take a good look at my whole outlook on life. If only Danny Ainge and my fellow Celtics fans could one day reach your level of significance.
Well it is because the C’s told the cavs about the injure so it was all put in the table so it could be just one of those thing were one dr says one thing and the other says something different the should do it like baseball and do a ptbnl type thing because they don’t 100% if he is or isn’t going to play
Celtics have the most to “lose” if trade is not completed.
Cavs can deal Irving elsewhere, but Celtics are stuck with disgruntled players coming back, and overall trade leverage taking a hit …..
No matter where Cavs go they will not get the Nets first rd pick in 2018 without completing the deal with the C’s
I think that draft pick sits high above any other piece the Celtics are offering.
The trade no longer works. It should be voided.
This trade totally works for both teams.
Celtics: get Kyrie and get rid of crowder who is unhappy and Thomas who wants the Max and the Celtics aren’t giving it.
Cleveland: unloads unhappy Kyrie, gets the Jersey Pick and has Thomas for one year before he walks himself.
Works for everyone involved.
The only holdup is Cleveland wants a little sweetener because they didn’t realize Isaiah is not ready to go right now or even when camp starts.
The deal will go through and it’s a great trade for everyone. All goals are accomplished and you can’t go back on it now… that would be horrendous for both sides.
It DOESN’T work for the Cavs if they feel Thomas will miss a significant amount of playing time. They have a mandate to return to the Finals and getting rid of Irving and NOT having IT severely hurts the chances.
Lol…. if your goal is to get to the finals you don’t trade Kyrie Irving.
@Gary – I’m coming around to this viewpoint. Why only Ainge in apparently the whole NBA?
True. Its all about the draft pick and solid players coming back that make this draft great for Cleveland, IT rental is not a big factor in this equation.
Trade*
Before Ainge does anything he will have specialists review the results of IT’s physical that Cleveland conducted. IF the results align with what Boston already provided prior to the trade then Ainge tells Cleveland to pound sand and let’s the NBA handle. But, if Cleveland found something new/different than Boston medicals then expect the C’s to anti-up an appropriate pick or player.
Well said
You really want to let this go to Adam Silver? Aren’t you dumdums the same ones that complained about the fix being in from up top for LeBron and anything related to him?
Try a coherent, reasoned reply rather than name calling and assumptions — you are the perfect example of the proverb: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”
This is a good analysis, with good solutions to clearing the way for the trade ti be completed.
The Celtics already conducted their physical. It’s not a matter of the exam. It’s a matter of what the exam reveals. If there’s a legit reason for concern then Ainge knew about it. He already said that the hip injury played a role in his decision to trade IT.
not the point. C’s gave Cavs its medical records on IT only basis for changing or canceling the trade is if Cavs found something new or different.
@socal I think you misunderstand how this works in the NBA. It’s not about sharing medical reports. It’s about each team being able to independently evaluate the players health. I’m not even sure how one doctor can affirmatively contradict another Dr. They can give a medical opinion but that’s just an informed opinion and there’s nothing binding to it.
Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch.
If Ainge feels the deal is fair with IT in his current physical state, then just offer alternative (vs additional) compensation. Take IT back as a top 6th man, and provide other assets to the Cavs. Matching of contracts shouldn’t be too hard here. If he’s unwilling to do that, then he has no case that the deal is fair as is.
Taking IT back at all is a terrible idea because of chemistry issues. Taking him back and then playing him as a 6th man is a great way to have future free agents cross Boston off their list. IT was a 29 ppg and beloved player in Boston who played games after his sister suddenly died. Keeping him and bringing him off the bench would cause catastrophic problems
If you take IT off the table then what in the world would the Celts have that would impress the Cavs? That’s silly talk. Cavs still want to compete this year. Unless they offered additional 1st rnd picks, including the Brooklyn and LA picks, and the Cavs worked out a simultaneous deal to acquire another player from another team then it won’t work.
These are professionals. They may speak and at times act like children, but in the end they’ll take a business approach to their contracts. IT will play in a different role if he has to (particularly if he’s not ready at the start of the year) and it’s not going to affect any other FAs. KI will play with Cavs if he has to. If the two teams see the medical risk differently, then Ainge should at least propose some alternative to show how much he values IT in his current condition. Whether the Cavs take it is another matter. They need win now assets, but there may be other paths to it.
Just give them their 2nd rounder in 2019 and move on.. rozier is a possibility as well, but not sure they should give up depth
The trade needs to be voided. Immediately.
If Boston I say take it or leave it. Cleveland can’t take Irving back and that is still the best offer they’ll get.
I agree… they already played their cards by saying nets #1 was what they coveted anyway.
Problem, Celtics in the same boat with IT, it would be a disaster taking him back. Both teams need to deal the player, neither team will get anything better than this.
You can’t really say that the Cavs won’t get anything better. No one expected this trade to happen between to rivals. Maybe the Suns felt they had the best offer on the table. What if they relented and decided to up their offer and include Josh Jackson and their own pick? The Suns had the 2nd worst record in the NBA last year behind the Nets. The Western conference got so much better last year. No reason to think their (Suns) pick won’t be as valuable as the Bets?
meant so much better “this summer”.
Reason why suns aren’t including Jackson, same reason why they didn’t offer jackson said they aren’t and Jackson has a HUGE ceiling.
Celtics biggest mistake wasn’t taking him unless they knew they were going to trade Crowder and needed a more pro ready tweeter and took Tatum.
No team has the asset, Nets pick UNPROTECTED.. they will be one of the worst teams in the league and there are 5 very good kids going to be in the draft next year
OK got ya. Leave it.
Ummm…yes. The Cavs CAN take Irving back. They can take him back and readdress one of the many offers they’ve already discussed with other teams, particularly the Suns and the Bucks since the offerings from each team have been made public. The Celtics on the other hand would be stuck with IT (because most other teams would shy away from acquiring him given the perceived severeness of the hip injury and they would be stuck with a very unhappy player who, right or wrong, took the whole trade thing personally from what’s been written of the situation. You talk about a split locker room? Yeesh. Celts are in a worse position than the Cavs.
Cav’s want the Nets pick — that is the bottom line, no other team can make that offer
The pick the pick. With all due respect I would rather acquire a proven young player than a pick that could go in any direction. I believe we used #4s on TT and Waiters. Hardly franchise changers. Cmon Cavs it’s time to walk away.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is now reporting that the Cavs will ask for either Jaylen Brown or Jason Tatum to be added to complete the trade.
What a joke!
OK so you don’t like this Woj report. I get that. So let’s just void the trade and go on with our lives. As a Cavs fan I dream of the trade being voided. We can all get along.
Celtic fans say don’t add anything and let the trade stand. Cavs fans say add more or void the trade. So the trade gets voided. Who’s says we all can’t get along.