Kyrie Irving Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Celtics Have Picks To Offer To Complete Irving Deal

August 26th, 2017 at 5:04pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Celtics have plenty of draft picks available if Cleveland asks for another asset to complete the Kyrie Irving trade. The deal is currently on hold as the Cavaliers review the results of Isaiah Thomas‘ physical, and Brian Kalbrosky of HoopsHype examines some options for resolving the impasse.

Boston owns the Grizzlies’ 2019 first-rounder, which could be very valuable if Memphis decides to start rebuilding a team that is already showing some age. The pick is protected from spots 1-8 in 2019, 1-6 in 2020, then becomes fully unprotected in 2021. It’s a selection that could have as much value as the Nets’ pick that the Celtics just agreed to send to Cleveland.

Boston also has the Lakers’ first-rounder for next year, but only if it falls in the 2-5 range. If not, the Celtics will get the better of the Kings’ or Sixers’ first-rounders in 2019, unless it falls first overall. Another deal brought Boston the rights to a future Clippers’ first-rounder, which is lottery protected in both 2019 and 2020. If it doesn’t convey in either of those years, it will become a second-round pick in 2022.

In addition, the Celtics own all their future first-rounders and a wealth of second-rounders that they have collected over the years.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor tweets that Boston officials have been worried about Thomas’ hip becoming an issue since the trade was completed, and he believes an extra draft pick for Cleveland is the most likely outcome.

Boston has a competitive interest in having the trade go through, notes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, because having an injured Thomas on the Cavaliers at the start of the season would give the Celtics an easier path to the top seed (Twitter link).

Cavaliers, Celtics Set To Discuss Issues With Mega Trade

August 26th, 2017 at 11:51am CST by marksuleymanov

With Isaiah Thomas‘ troublesome hip holding up the blockbuster trade agreed upon earlier this week, the Cavaliers and Celtics will discuss the issue on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

On Tuesday, both teams agreed to a deal that would send Irving to Boston in exchange for Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Nets’ unprotected first round pick. At the time, it was reported that Thomas’ hip — which caused him to miss a portion of the NBA Playoffs — was a cause for concern and a reason why the Celtics decided to move him. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge spoke with reporters on a conference call after the deal was announced and mentioned that Thomas’ hip played “some” part in his decision to deal the beloved point guard.

Wojnarowski reported at the time that the Cavaliers were “anxious” to give Thomas his physical but had made the deal with the belief he would be healthy.

Both sides have up until Thursday to come to a resolution. As Wojnarowski mentions, there are three possible outcomes to this current situation: the Cavaliers can pass Thomas on the physical and complete the deal as is; request additional compensation from Boston; or veto the deal altogether.

Thomas took the physical in question on Friday in Cleveland and Irving is currently in Boston to take his physical, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).

Thomas, 29, and Irving, 26, both had comparable seasons in 2016/17 but Thomas is a free agent after 2017/18 whereas Irving comes with two years of control. Boston was reportedly reluctant to give Thomas the maximum deal he desired and this trade not only brought in a younger All-Star point guard but eliminated the issue of having to pay Thomas.

While several days remain before a final verdict is required, both sides will reportedly work to reach a determination sooner rather than later.

Cavs Weighing Options Following Thomas Physical

August 26th, 2017 at 9:00am CST by Austin Kent

10:55pm: Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe tweets that a source close to him said the Cavs and Celtics would attempt a renegotiation before rescinding the deal, should it ultimately reach that point.

10:13 pm: Following the results of Isaiah Thomas‘ physical, the Cavaliers are “weighing their options” with completion of the Kyrie Irving trade, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.

Earlier this week, the Cavs and Celtics agreed to swap Irving for a package involving Thomas, despite the fact that the C’s guard was forced out of last spring’s postseason with a hip injury.

As is customary, the trade is contingent upon players passing physicals with their new teams and it’s here where things appear to be hitting a possible snag.

Per Celtics executive Mike Zarren in a question and answer on Boston’s official site: “A trade is not officially complete, and no player may suit up for his new team in a game or practice, until all players report to their new teams and pass a physical exam.”

Wojnarowski adds in another tweet that a source involved in the process says that the C’s and Cavs have found themselves in a “very sensitive situation.”

In a feature published earlier today, Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher discussed the lingering impacts of Thomas’ hip injury. In July, the guard opted to let the injury heal without surgery but uncertainty about his recovery remains.

“We all have the numbers when a guy gets hip surgery,” a league executive told Bucher. “They’re not good. Now what if he’s not right and needs surgery anyway? That is not nearly the same trade.“

Kyler’s Latest: Irving, Cavaliers, LeBron

August 24th, 2017 at 11:57am CST by Luke Adams

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.

Celtics Notes: Irving, Grousbeck, Tatum, Defense

August 23rd, 2017 at 9:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck is happy to welcome Kyrie Irving to Boston, calling the point guard a “transcendent player,” relays A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. Speaking at an event today in Boston, Grousbeck said the team views the Irving deal as its best path toward another NBA title.

The Celtics, who were the East’s top seed last season at 53-29, have shaken up the roster over the summer, with Irving, Gordon Hayward and rookie Jayson Tatum as the main additions. Grousbeck said the moves were made with an eye on the immediate and long-term future, but he declined to speculate on whether Boston is ready to knock off Cleveland in a playoff series. “I’m not going to make any predictions about that,” he said. “I think we’re in a good position to represent Celtic pride well. We have a strong team, an up and coming team, a young team with more youth on the way. We want to be good for a sustained period of time and it starts now.”

There’s more news tonight out of Boston:

Cleveland’s desire to obtain Tatum held up the deal for several weeks, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical. Appearing on NBA TV, he said the trade could have been completed much earlier if Boston was willing to part with its No. 3 pick out of Duke. Charania added that any dispute in Cleveland was more about Irving than LeBron James, and James stayed in the background while owner Dan Gilbert and GM Koby Altman worked on the deal.
Tatum is “just as surprised as everyone else” to be playing with his fellow Duke alumnus, Blakely writes in a separate piece. Tatum said he heard rumors that he might be headed to Cleveland in a deal and is relieved to stay in Boston. Blakely confirms that the Cavs asked for Tatum at first, then talked to several Western Conference teams after the Celtics refused. When that didn’t pan out, they revisited negotiations with Boston. Tatum, who vacationed with Irving in the Bahamas this summer, is looking forward to playing alongside his new teammate. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be a lot of fun,” Tatum said. “He’s a tremendous player, a superstar in this league.”
The Celtics now have multiple stars who will enable them to compete for a title, according to Nick Ashooh of CSNMidAtlantic. He notes that newcomers Hayward and Marcus Morris ranked higher last year in Defensive Win Shares than former Celtics Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk, which should help Boston improve its team ranking of 15th in points allowed per game.

Cavs Inquired On Klay Thompson Before Trading Kyrie To Celtics

August 23rd, 2017 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers completed a trade with their top Eastern competitor on Tuesday and had apparently been willing to deal with another notable rival. Before they worked out an agreement with the Celtics that sent Kyrie Irving to Boston, the Cavs called the Warriors to inquire about a possible swap involving Irving and Klay Thompson, reports Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. Spears describes Golden State as “uninterested.”

From a cap perspective, a Thompson/Irving deal would have made some sense, since both players have two guaranteed seasons left on their respective contracts and are earning similar salaries. However, there was little reason for the Warriors to break up the core of a roster that is coming off a championship, particularly since Thompson – an excellent shooter and defender who doesn’t need the ball much – is probably a better fit in Golden State than Irving would have been.

It’s the second time this offseason that we’ve heard about a team shopping a star and contacting the Warriors about a possible deal involving Thompson. The Pacers reportedly reached out to Golden State about a potential Paul George/Thompson swap back in June. As they did when the Cavs called about Irving, the Warriors told the Pacers they weren’t interested, which Thompson appreciates, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

“It’s really cool,” Thompson told Slater. “It shows the Warriors believe in me and these other teams want me to be a part of their success. So I appreciate it. I’ve been in trade rumors forever. Everyone has. Except for maybe LeBron James, Steph [Curry] — well, even Steph early in his career. It’s part of the business. It is flattering and I do appreciate it.

“When you hear the rumors, it means you’re wanted,” Thompson added. “You’re doing something right. Look at the bright side. But I’m happy I’m still with the Warriors. I hope to be here my whole career. It’s a great place to play.”

Bucks Made Competitive Offer For Kyrie Irving?

August 23rd, 2017 at 12:58pm CST by Luke Adams

12:58pm: Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press (Twitter link) hears that the Bucks didn’t offer Middleton, Brogdon, and a first-round pick for Irving. It’s not uncommon for there to be conflicting reports on trade offers, since there can be ambiguity about what a team is willing to offer and what that team formally offers. Whether or not the Bucks put that package on the table, it was unlikely to be enough for the Cavs.

11:32am: The Suns were long viewed as a potential frontrunner in the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes, but Phoenix never really got close to landing the star point guard, per John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link). According to Gambadoro though, another team that was in the mix for Irving and made a strong offer was the Bucks, who put Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, and a first-round pick on the table.

It’s easy to see why the Celtics’ offer – which included an All-Star in Isaiah Thomas and a stronger first-round pick – was more appealing to the Cavs than Milwaukee’s proposal. Boston’s package, which also featured Jae Crowder and rookie center Ante Zizic, should give Cleveland a better chance to contend for a title in 2017/18, and may also give the Cavs a better chance to land a young star, since that 2018 Nets pick may end up in the top five.

Still, Thomas’ hip is a concern and he’s under contract for only one more year, making him a bit of a risk. The Bucks’ offer would have given the Cavaliers the reigning Rookie of the Year (Brogdon) on an extremely affordable contract (about $3MM over the next two years), and a dangerous shooter and scorer in Middleton, who is on a reasonable contract of his own (about $27MM over the next two years). Milwaukee’s 2018 first-round pick figures to fall in the late-teens or 20s, however.

While the Bucks fell short in their pursuit of Irving, it’s worth remembering that the team was willing to make a play for the All-Star point guard. That point guard spot is perhaps the most glaring area of concern for Milwaukee heading into 2017/18, so the team figures to keep an eye out for potential upgrades again at the 2018 trade deadline and next offseason.

Kyrie Irving Leftovers: Notes, Reactions, More

August 23rd, 2017 at 9:13am CST by Luke Adams

Tuesday’s massive trade between the Celtics and Cavaliers shook up the NBA during a time in the offseason when the news cycle is typically at its slowest. Like an oasis in the desert, the deal – which features a pair of All-Stars in Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas – has provided NBA observers with a fascinating topic of discussion, just when it seemed as if we’d said nearly all we could say about the roster changes made in June and July.

Of course, we already delved into the blockbuster trade at length on Tuesday night with a discussion post and a cap/roster analysis, but we have plenty more items from around the league to pass along today. Let’s dive in and round up some of the highlights, sorted by Cavs- and Celtics-centric stories…

Cavaliers:

While some Cavaliers players had hoped Irving would remain with the team, the star point guard had let it be known prior to Tuesday’s deal that he would rather not report to training camp than to begin the season with Cleveland, sources tell Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. McMenamin also reports that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert had a desire to add a “big-name” player in an Irving trade — Thomas, the Eastern Conference’s leading scorer in 2016/17, fit that bill, despite questions about his hip.
Gilbert issued a much more traditional and respectful statement following Irving’s departure than he did when LeBron James left the franchise back in 2010. As Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com details, Gilbert thanked Irving for his six years in Cleveland and wished him well during the next phase of his career.
James issued a statement of his own via Twitter on Tuesday night, indicating that he has “nothing but respect” for Irving and calling the point guard a “special talent.”
In a piece focused on the Cavaliers‘ long-term outlook, ESPN’s Bobby Marks examines how swapping Irving for Thomas and picking up the Nets’ 2018 first-rounder will give Cleveland some options and insurance in the event that LeBron leaves next summer.
James’ silence on his plans beyond 2018 was a driving force behind the Cavaliers‘ decision to honor Irving’s trade request and plan ahead for the team’s future, writes Sam Amick of USA Today.

Celtics:

After president of basketball operations Danny Ainge finally used some of his top assets and pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade, the Celtics have signaled that they’re ready to go for it now, not later, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald.
Thomas’ emotional bond with Celtics fans and his role as the team’s leader made the decision to trade him a very difficult one for Ainge and the franchise, as Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald outlines.
The Celtics had 16 players on guaranteed contracts prior to the trade, but now have just 14, leaving a potential open spot for their regular season roster. According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link), the Celtics expect many agents to reach out about that opening, but Boston would be comfortable starting the regular season with just 14 players and maintaining some roster flexibility.
As John Schuhmann of NBA.com observes (via Twitter), the Celtics now have just four players returning from last year’s roster, and fall to 29th in Schuhmann’s team continuity rankings. There’s optimism in Boston that the club’s new-look roster has more talent and upside, but the roster turnover will be a challenge for head coach Brad Stevens, particularly at the start of the season.

The rest:

ESPN’s Stats & Information department takes a look at some of the stats behind the trade, while ESPN’s Kevin Pelton (Insider link) assigns grades for the swap, handing out an A to the Cavaliers and just a C to the Celtics.
Tom Ziller of SBNation.com likes the deal for both teams on the surface, but explores how it could go “terribly wrong” for both the Cavaliers and Celtics.
Although the Heat were named as one of Irving’s preferred landing spots, the package the Cavaliers received from the Celtics was one that Miami couldn’t possibly match, says Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel. Even if a Goran Dragic/Justise Winslow package might have intrigued the Cavs, the 2018 Nets pick included by Boston was a “game-changer,” Winderman adds.

Community Shootaround: Kyrie Irving Drama Just Starting

August 22nd, 2017 at 9:46pm CST by marksuleymanov

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!

Cavs, Celtics Swap Kyrie Irving For Package Including Isaiah Thomas

August 22nd, 2017 at 9:39pm CST by ChrisCrouse

9:39pm: The trade is official, the Cavs confirmed in a press release. The Celtics also issued an announcement confirming the deal.

6:23pm: The Celtics and Cavaliers have reached an agreement on a deal that will send Irving to Boston in exchange for a package headlined by Thomas, reports Shams Charania of The Vertical (via Twitter). Brian Windhorst of ESPN first reported (via Twitter) that the two teams were on the verge of a deal.

According to both Charania and Windhorst, the Cavs will receive Crowder, Zizic, and the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick (unprotected) in addition to Thomas. Charania also tweets that Irving will waive his trade kicker so that the deal can be completed. Here is Charania’s full story.

5:47pm: Boston center Ante Zizic is also expected to be part of a potential deal with Cleveland for Irving, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Bobby Marks of ESPN adds (Twitter link) that receiving Thomas, Crowder, and Zizic for Irving would save the Cavs $19MM in taxes. The team’s projected tax bill would lower from $78.4MM to $59.2MM.

5:30pm: The Cavaliers and Celtics are actively discussing trades centered around Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski adds that the two sides are discussing the inclusion of Jae Crowder as well as the addition of future draft picks heading from Boston to Cleveland.

Irving requested a trade from Cleveland last month and included a short list of destination which he would prefer to be dealt to should the team honor his request. Boston was not on that list, but all of the teams—Spurs, Heat, Wolves, and Knicks—with the exception of New York have strong coaching structures in place. The Celtics also have that element with Brad Stevens running the show, so it’s possible Irving would be open to a trade to the New England area.

Of course, Irving does not wield a no-trade clause, meaning the Cavs could ostensibly deal him anywhere they prefer. However, it was previously reported that the team was working with Irving to find a solution that worked for both sides.

Thomas is entering the last season of his contract, one that will pay him just over $6.26MM for the 2017/18 campaign. He should see a massive raise with his next contract, possibly approaching the max, which is something that could negatively impact his trade value.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.