When Danny Ainge decided to pursue Kyrie Irving last summer, he didn’t have a tough sell to the rest of the organization, relays Chris Forsberg of ESPN. The Celtics‘ president of basketball operations said there was complete agreement in the front office on the deal that sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and Brooklyn’s unprotected first-rounder to Cleveland.
“I feel like there’s opportunities that you have to look at and explore, and Kyrie was one of those opportunities that, unanimously, internally it was something that we all felt like we should do,” Ainge said. “Everybody, unanimously, wanted to do it.”
Forsberg recounts the details of last summer’s blockbuster, including the eight-day wait as the teams tried to work out compensation after the Cavaliers claimed Thomas’ hip was in worse shape than they were led to believe. Irving was shooting his “Uncle Drew” movie at the time, and fellow cast members recall his excitement once the deal was completed. Ainge, meanwhile, was concerned that it might get rescinded.
“It’s like you’re a real estate agent and someone has agreed to buy your house, but until the papers are signed and the bank is on board, the sale doesn’t go through,” he said. “And that’s sort of how it is after you make any deal in our league. It’s never done until it’s done.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Gordon Hayward‘s return may cut into Jaylen Brown‘s playing time, but Brown will still serve an important role for the Celtics this season, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. Brown is an elite defender, Blakely notes, and he provides lineup flexibility if coach Brad Stevens wants to change his starting five depending on matchups.
- The Nets are among three NBA teams that haven’t filled either two-way slot and that’s not likely to change before training camp, according to Net Income of NetsDaily. The team plans to have players compete for the spots in camp. Brooklyn signed Jake Wiley and Yakuba Outtara to two-way deals last summer and wound up replacing them with Milton Doyle and James Webb.
- The Sixers are expected to begin interviews for their GM opening on Tuesday, tweets Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. They have received permission to talk with Larry Harris (Warriors), Gersson Rosas (Rockets), and Justin Zanik (Jazz), and all three are set to interview the week. Mike Sielski of the Inquirer is criticizing the team for keeping the position open for so long after Bryan Colangelo’s departure in June.
I think Tatum will give players fits playing the 4. Now it looks like Hayward will play the 3, and Brown starts at the 2 like last season. That would bring Morris off the bench at the 4, Ojaleye or however you spell it at the 3, and Smart at the 2, and Rozier backing up Kyrie. Thiel and Baynes would back up Horford. This puts Boston 5 best players starting. Kawhi could make it interesting. I think if Kawhi ends up as best player in east and Toronto re signs Lowry, Kawhi will stay.
Lowry is under contract. I like the small ball lineup with the 3 wings to possibly end games, but I think they’ll probably bring Tatum off the bench.
sorry Mio I think Rozier is better than Smart and I think him and Kyrie could play 1 and 2
I’m hoping to see Boston and the Warriors the next 4 years. Kyrie and Steph are close. Both are lights out 3 point shooters. Both are strong finishers at the rim (Kyrie finished 5th in the NBA last season). They asked Steph to name his Mt. Rushmore of ballhandlers. He said himself, Kyrie, Pete Maravich, and Magic. Steph and Kyrie like each other. I remember Kyrie falling over laughing when Steph was imitating LeBron at Harrison Barnes wedding. Boston and Golden State play each other well. The ratings in the Finals the last 2 years were the lowest in some time. I think Boston and Golden State can take care of that.
Lol you say this a lot
Kyrie is my man! I’m from the same place as Hayward and Stevens, so I’m a fan. When Stevens was coach at Butler, and Hayward was his top player, they lost in the NCAA championship game 2 years in a row. Hayward rejoined Stevens in Boston saying we have unfinished business to take care of. That’s what I’m hoping for. Yes I like Kyrie because he stood up to that guy in L.A. I also like him because he’s one of the top 5 ballhandling, 3 point shooting, driving to the rim, and hitting game winning NBA Championship shots point guards in the NBA. And from his Uncle Drew movie, he’s also a likeable guy. He’s in Miami now working out with Kevin Durant. The Warriors respect Kyrie. Yes I’ve said I want to see Boston-Golden State the next several years. So are the media guys. Barnes party was last summer. The rest of this stuff is online now. I’ll keep saying this, as will the guys wanting to see a good tv ratings in the Finals this year! LOL.
Don’t like much Horford at the 5, he is better at the 4. I would play JB at the 2, JT at the 3 & Horford at the 4. Kyrie at the 1, then probably you would have Baynes at the 5. I just don’t think JT is at his best at the 4.
If Tatum plays at the 3, he’ll be coming off the bench. Hayward will start. I don’t think Stevens will bring Tatum, Kyrie, Horford, or Hayward off the bench. Kyrie, Hayward, and Horford are All Stars. They’ll start.
Tatum has the height, weight, length, and athleticism to play the 4. The Celts will keep Kyrie and Hayward on the floor as much as possible because of their 3 point shooting percentage. Tatum can shoot 3’s too. Stevens can do a lot of different lineups. Daniel Thiel can play too. As well as Marcus Morris.
Tatum was practicing with Kyrie and Kevin Durant in Miami, then the 3 of them are caught on video showing their dance moves in the Bahamas.
fully expect brad to lean on the side of caution with players returning from injury and aging hortford. they won’t play back-backs, heavy minutes, and scheduled days offs. plenty of minutes for everyone.
Can anyone see Irving, Rozier and Smart all on the 2019-2020 Celtics ? If so, under what scenario ?
The only way I can see this happening is if Morris is not re-signed as a free agent, and Al Horford’s contract is restructured now – 3 years $60mm.