OT: Cavs trade Irving to Celtics for Thomas, 1st round pick, and more

Submitted by Mr. Yost on
 

Sources: Cavs deal Kyrie to Celtics for Isaiah

The Celtics will get Kyrie Irving from the Cavaliers for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder. Ante Zizic and Brooklyn's 2018 unprotected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

http:// http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20421382/cleveland-cavaliers-send-kyrie-irving-boston-celtics-deal-including-isaiah-thomas

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August 23rd, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^

Well obviously Kyrie is a better overall player but the Cavs couldn't keep Kyrie. They traded him for a player that has been just as good if not better the past couple years. Was an MVP Finalist this tear, 3rd in league scoring. Added a great wing defender, a center to help love and TT through the regular season and added probably Michael Porter or Marvin Bagley III to the roster (unless they trade it for another star.) Kyrie obviously has more upside that's why the Cavs needed more to make the trade lol. The overall haul the Cavs got could have only been better if it was the Eric Bledsoe and PG13 haul.

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FGB

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. 

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mGrowOld

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.

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StrictlyShorts

August 22nd, 2017 at 8:33 PM ^

Is an idiot. No wonder espn is sinking. He just was talking about "how good Kyrie had it with Lebron and a no trade clause" them 10 seconds later ignores the fact he just talked about the no trade clause and starts talking about kyrie could have been traded anywhere!!!!!

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BrownJuggernaut

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.

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Mocha Cub

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.

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cletus318

August 22nd, 2017 at 8:56 PM ^

I know Boston didn't want to pay IT 40 million, but they gave up a ton to get someone who gets them no closer to a title. Boston passed on George and Butler, who both ended up getting moved for lesser hauls, to turn around and do this. For someone who's been exceedingly cautious about moving assets, this really seems like a panic move by Ainge.

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NowTameInThe603

August 22nd, 2017 at 9:56 PM ^

Anyone in talks with celtics wanted all the assets. I think those teams didn't want to appear to be hosed by the Celtics because of Ainge history. Celtics replace IT who wanted the brinks trucks with a better player with more term on the contract. PG is now locked up and you have the young players on the roster to develop with Tatum and brown. They still have that lakers pick as well which might end up better than the Brooklyn pick.

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cletus318

August 22nd, 2017 at 11:11 PM ^

I know Boston repeatedly said teams wanted everything, but I question how much of that was spin given what George and Butler ultimately netted in trades. Kyrie has the better contract, but calling him a better player is dubious. Any difference between he and IT is marginal at best, granted Thomas is recovering from a major injury. Both are shoot-first PGs who can't guard a soul, Kyrie just happens to not be 5'7". I very much understand the sentiment of not wanting to pay someone that small 200 million, I'm just not certain they needed to give away this much to get a player who Cleveland had to move regardless. This doesn't kill Boston long-term by any stretch, and it's not like they were getting past Cleveland next year either way. I just found it odd they parted with a lot of quality pieces even though Cleveland had zero leverage.

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Gucci Mane

August 22nd, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^

I wouldnt rule out kyrie becoming a top 5 player. If he can do that, then Boston wins this trade.

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Baba Booey

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

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WorldwideTJRob

August 22nd, 2017 at 9:25 PM ^

From a draft pick stand point yeah they had plenty to mortgage and will still be fine, however they have a completely new team and lost their heart & soul players(Crowder, Thomas & Bradley) for 3 new guys in the lineup who are just joining the team this year(Kyrie, Morris, Hayward) and will have to work out the kinks. Yes the C's made the conference finals but they probably should've lost in the previous 2 rounds. So if the chemistry doesn't click right away they could be in trouble!

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bronxblue

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.

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901 P

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. 

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bronxblue

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.

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