Cavs and Celtics Swap All-Star Point Guards
According to sources, the Eastern Conference finalists have worked out a deal that will send their star point guards to the opposition. Cleveland will send Kyrie Irving to Boston in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn's 2018 unprotected first round pick.
Irving had requested a trade earlier in the offseason and reports were leaked a week or so later. While many believed the Cavaliers would honor Irving's request, few teams had the assets to give Cleveland the package they were looking for.
The bunch that Boston gives to Cleveland in this deal is on par with the package I imagined Cleveland was looking for in return for Irving.
With LeBron's future in flux, Cleveland wanted players that could help them win now (Thomas and Crowder) as well as assets to build for the future (Zizic and Brooklyn's 1st). Brooklyn's first rounder projects to be a high lottery pick as things stand with a great projected 2018 draft class.
It should be interesting to see how these two teams shape up with their newly brought in stars.
Unbelievable... Out of all teams Kyrie ended up going to BOSTON. A team LBJ will see plenty of times this year (including their very first game)! This really makes me wonder sometimes if the NBA is scripted or not haha.
I feel like Boston gave up too much for Kyrie... IT, Crowder, Zizic, AND a BKN 1st round pick is a lot. Cleveland definitely got its money's worth for a player who openly asked for a trade... Usually once this news surfaces it brings the value down since other teams offer less with their trade offers.
Should be an interesting NBA season come October!
Yes, I agree that Boston gave up a ton, but they get an upgrade over IT who would have wanted a max deal next summer and now have a legitimate shot of making the finals.
I think part of the reason Kyrie's value stayed higher than other players who demand trades is that Cleveland was willing to keep him through the start of the season. Plus it's not like he has a no-trade clause to determine where he went.
I think this was a fantastic trade for Cleveland and sets them up greatly for the future once Lebron leaves... which could be an if now because the team will be much better. This trade easily solidifies Cleveland as the top seed in the and I think it sets Boston back. Shame on Ainge for not landing Jimmy Butler instead.
I actually really like this deal for Boston. You get Kyrie on a relatively team friendly deal for the next two years as opposed to having to pay Isaiah the max next year, and I think Kyrie is a better player than Thomas so they upgrade there. Losing the Brooklyn pick is tough as that's a potential top 3 pick, but are any of the guys you get in this draft class going to get you to compete with the Warriors? Probably not for a few years when the Warriors aren't even the Warriors anymore. Jae Crowder is also huge to lose because he had probably the best contract in the league and had the length to play in Brad Stephens' three position system.
On the other hand, Isaiah has to regress to the mean after having one of the top-ten most efficient offensive seasons in the history of the league. I also think he takes a dip since he won't be handling the ball as much with LeBron around.
I think the trade actually helps both teams, but I don't think either of them are going to compete with the menace out West in Golden State.
Menace huh? Go Dubs! :) In my opinion this deal favors the Cavs..the key being that draft pick.
I really didn't see this 1 coming. I thought Kyrie would be moved but wasn't sure Boston would even be in the picture. I think it's actually a decent deal for Boston overall. They needed to get someone as they really haven't been able to pull in that superstar in free agency the last few years. Haywood is an all-star but not quite a superstar, same with Horford. So the addition of a legit top 10 superstar to a young and budding core, although they make take an immediate step back, I think it will help them overall. Danny Aigne has a pretty good history on these types of deals.
I don't really see it as a step back for Boston at all. Kyrie is a better overall player than IT who just came off one of the most efficient seasons in league history. No way he was replicating that again.
When I say a step back, I just mean more from lesser fans looking at it overall. I doubt they'll be the 1 seed in the East this season even tho this trade makes them better. It's like when LeBron changes teams every few years. The team had the talent, but they normally take a bit in the beginning of the season to get firing on all cylinders. I think you and I feel similarly but maybe I didn't express it fully in my first post.
Kyrie was such a big part of the Cavs, and now they are adding D Rose and IT, which just seems so random, and probably will feel really weird for like the first half of the season at least. And don't forget everyone knows Lebron is leaving and probably IT too. So that's not really a do or die mentality that you need. Whereas Boston has their pieces and is building and building and no one wants to leave, their FO isn't a total mess either.
I bet Cavs go out in the second round.
And then spoiler: Lonzo Ball reinvents the game of basketball, Lakers take 8th seed after using first half of the season for the squad to get comfy, but at this point they have won 10 in a row including two wins on the Warriors. They eliminate the Dubs in 6 games and Cinderalla story their way to a Celtics-Lakers Finals.
It could happen
Possible? Yes. Probable? Hell no!
I still think any team with LeBron can make the conference finals, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a knock out drag out fight that goes seven games... And then they get swept by the Warriors.
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STOPi agree. this was a win-win for both teams moving forward. but i still can't believe danny ainge gave that 2018 brooklyn pick away.