OT: Cavs trade Irving to Celtics for Thomas, 1st round pick, and more
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:39 PM ^
I think Crowder's a real help against GSW. The Cavs were in desperate need of an athletic wing defender--their defense went completely to hell whenever Lebron left the court.
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:56 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:40 PM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^
That's why this deal is really great for Cleveland, because they basically stay the same this year. Kyrie is better than IT, but for a team with no bench, adding Crowder along with IT, who is still an A-/B+ version of Kryie, is a win for them for this year basketball talent-wise.
And when LBJ leaves next year, they don't have to resign Isaiah, and can rebuild with the pick.
Basically this gives them the perfect freedom to stay competitive this season, and totally tank on next season.
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:50 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:04 PM ^
I didn't really pay attention to the whole world is flat thing in the NBA last year, but I assumed they were just trolling the reporters. Or did I assume incorrectly?
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:20 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:24 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:27 PM ^
The anti-Brooklyn mojo coming out of Cleveland anytime the Nets play will be felt as far south as West Palm Beach.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:28 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:30 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:33 PM ^
Cavs got better tonight and fufilled the objective they said they wanted in making a deal.
1. Get proven veteran scorer to replace KI - got IT, check.
2. Get younger and more athletic off the bench - got Crowder & Zizic
3. Get a future #1 draft pick - doesnt get much better than the Nets pick, unprotected.
And truth be told this dramatically increases the likelyhood of Lebron staying next year. LBJ is petty as hell and he'll stay here in Cleveland just to beat Kyrie every year and keep him from advancing to the finals. Watch.
I like it. I like this deal a LOT.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:48 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:51 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:08 PM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:21 AM ^
Specifically Jae Crowder. I think the value in him playing the minutes that otherwise went to guys like Shumpert or Richard Jefferson in the past is vastly underestimated. Another high level defender to throw at Durant and Klay Thompson.
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:18 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:32 PM ^
The Uncle Drew commercials should be good!
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:33 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:14 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:39 PM ^
I'm very excited about this trade. I'm going to miss Isaiah a lot. He was a gamer. He was everything I want in a Boston athlete, cept for the fact that he couldn't deliver a title. Lot on Kyrie's shoulders but this is his chance.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^
IT is 90% Kyrie
Crowder is a great wing defender on the best contract in the league
Zizic is a solid prospect
Likely Top 3 pick in a loaded draft
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:54 PM ^
I feel like the gut reaction is the Cavs got the better of this deal, but I'm not so sure in the long run. Kyrie has 3 years left on his contract and rumor has it that he's likely to extend with Boston. Thomas is in the last year of his deal and there's obviously no guarantee he would resign. He could basically be a rental for this year. I guess Cleveland could use the 2018 pick from the Celtics via Nets as trade bait. Cleveland at the end of this year could be left with Kevin Love as their best player.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
Celtics @ Cavs on opening night.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:22 PM ^
That couldn't have worked out any better for TNT
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:01 PM ^
After I got over the shock (which I'm still getting over, tbh) I decided that TNT was the real winner of this trade. I'd be surprised if it didn't set an opening night record for viewership.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:56 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:56 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:11 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:20 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:54 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:58 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:08 PM ^
I like the move for Boston. They have Irving locked up for at least two seaons and unload Thomas, a soon to be FA that they didn't want to give a max deal to. And the Celtics still might get a high lottery pick next year if the Lakers draft position is between 2-5. If that doesn't happen they wilI still get a pick from the Sixers or Kings in 2019. I still think the Cavs win the east next season but Boston should have a better team next year than they did this year and look to be in great shape for 2019
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:25 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:36 PM ^
but isn't the Eastern Conference really bad? Even if it takes the Celtics a while to find team chemistry they should still make the playoffs right?
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:38 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:11 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:55 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:17 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:17 PM ^
Somehow the Cavs got worse on defense even when they give up Thomas, one of the worst defenders in the league.
This feels like a wash, except the Cavs have a top pick coming back to them that might just be enough to give LeBron an incentive to stick around when his contract runs out.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:28 PM ^
That is definentaly a steal for the Cavs. Trading Kyrie for Thomas who is equally good AND more
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:57 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:28 PM ^
I live in New England--general reaction I'm seeing on Facebook is that people are thrilled to have Kyrie. These same people a couple of months ago were raving about IT. I'm not sure if Boston fans are more fickle than others, but it sure seems that way.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^
I think Boston fans are just excited Ainge did anything. But this definitely feels like an overspend unless you believe 100% that Irving will (a) resign, and (b) can win consistently without LeBron around. He's a great offensive player, but his passing isn't the best and his defense is atrocious (for a guy with the physical traits to be better). So we'll see.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:54 PM ^
Hes got another 3 years on a deal...
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:07 AM ^
3rd year player option and he will certainly opt out to get a max contract.