Breaking: Cavs Trade Kyrie Irving to Celtics
2017-08-22
The Cavs pulled the trigger on a Kyrie Irving trade, just a few weeks after he informed owner Dan Gilbert he wanted out of Cleveland. Gilbert apparently found a willing trade partner in the Boston Celtics, who traded Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the unprotected 2018 first round pick that the Celtics still had from their trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
Cavaliers Agree To Trade Kyrie Irving To Celtics For Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic, Nets' 2018 FRP: https://t.co/BT9epYRczR pic.twitter.com/NIlMu20e13
— RealGM (@RealGM) August 22, 2017
The Cavs had been on the prowl for a deal that featured a top PG in return, a wing defender and either a young player with upside or high draft pick. This deal technically ticks all of those boxes. There was much speculation that the Cavs really wanted 2017 first round pick Jayson Tatum, but apparently Boston sweetened the deal enough with Zizic and the unprotected Nets pick for 2018.
Thomas has one more year remaining on his deal, and Crowder has three on a very cap friendly deal. Zizic is a 6’10 big man who was a first round pick in 2016 for the Celtics but played in Europe last season.
Chime in to share your thoughts on this blockbuster deal… and appreciate the irony of this Tweet…
The 1st player of the 2011 draft was just traded for the last player in the SAME DRAFT. pic.twitter.com/Aa08VeYbTN
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 22, 2017
Wait, I hope everyone realizes that we have a dog that can defend KD, Kawhi, and many more great wings.
Jae Crowder is an underrated haul.
He is a nice piece but we have to flip IT to a sucker team for something much much better better if we want to have any chance of keeping James. He might already be gone though so it might not matter.
Sounds like that’s what has already occurred!
I would say that but we got what possibly could be a reasonably high draft pick. The only thing that salvages this into being ok.
IT, Shump & Felder for Bledsoe and wings.
I would take that.
Hot wings or BBQ wings?
IT is making around 6 mill this year…I don’t think they are flipping him…what are they going to get? They can throw him in with Shump and the Nets pick for someone, I guess…
He’s an ok defender, but I’ve never really been high on him…he’s a playable guy on a ridiculous contract.
If there’s another Cavs-Warriors Finals, what do the Cavs do with IT on defense?
Just for laughs, imagine a Thomas-Shawn Livingston matchup.
What to do with him on offense or defense? That is the question. Watch Comic Sans Dan sign him to a $30 million contract when LeBron bolts.
Our defense has improved in many areas. But it gets another notch negatively deeper at the PG spot.
I will not move that Brooklyn pick. WTH! that’s a potential #1 pick. That kind of asset doesn’t come in a Lebron era team Instead if possible, I’ll move IT, Shump & Felder for Bledsoe plus Wings.
Speaking of #1 pick. Next year’s draft includes:
MPJ
Marvin Bagely III
Luca Doncic
I’m salivating.
Not super high on MPJ. Dunno anything about the other too. Guess that will be what I spend my night looking into.
This draft has more loaded talent all through out, but MPJ’s class is more top loaded imo.
We won’t really know until we see how they do against strong competition in college. I hope you are right though.
IDK… rumor has it next year will be better than this year…. which is pretty crazy IMO.
I agree. Next year’s draft looks good. MPJ would be an amazing pick.
This is a great return on Kyrie. I will miss him though.
Did you find the leaker?
It was Griff, obv. Griff is jealous of Dan’s hoops smarts.
I think we got as good as we could. Who else was going to give us a top four first round pick, plus two starters for a two year rental? Maybe Kyrie signs with them long term, but as far as we know, he isn’t. If IT does okay next to LeBron we can offer him some good money – not a max deal. If he’s not, he can walk and Dan/Altman won’t be hold hostage like Ainge by the fans. His defense is weak but so was Kyrie’s. And maybe I’m just caught up in the moment but I… Read more »
They have Hayward, Tatum, Jaylen Brown still. They will be very very good. I think Jaylen Brown will have a breakout season.
More bummed about this than I expected to be. Loved watching himdespite his warts, he was such a thrill. Barf barf barf.
I feel kinda drunk. Just yuck.
this was just such an annoying situation. Had kyrie’s request not been leaked, we’d have had more leverage in trade talks. That screwed up the whole process.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/900150383535947777
https://mobile.twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/900136150723121154
Wish Cavs could have sent him to the Knicks…
A motivated to win IT on the Cavs team >>>>> Kyrie who does not want to be here.
Contract year + opportunity to get to the Finals
+1 and +1.
And with a geriactric busted hip to boot!!!!
Kyrie had a knee issue as well a year or two ago. He came back fine from it. I am sure IT will be back with a vengeance.
IT/Crowder/Brooklyn pick similar package to Bledsoe/Dudley/Jackson, which many of us would have been happy with. Just sucks that IT is so short.
isaiah is a bigger ball hog than kyrie, and he’s VERY short. He doesn’t have the second defensive gear kyrie could tap into in the playoffs. That pick will definitely be on the table this year. I see this trade working out far better for Boston in the short AND long term. Cuz now when lebron leaves we get to keep friggin Isaiah Thomas.
Isiah is only a one year deal. If LeBron leaves, so will IT. Once LeBron leaves, the Cavs will absolutely be horrible, no need to sugarcoat it. If/when LeBron leaves, the Cavs should clean house and trade every available asset for picks.
IT was a ballhog because he was their main weapon. Kyrie will be the same and I bet they’ll lose more games than last year.
AGREE WITH YOU JOHNB —THAT DRAFT PICK NEEDS TO BE A YOUNG STUD
SO WHO DOES THE CAVS CUT / NOT BRING BACK TO MAKE ROOM FOR INFLUX OF PLAYERS —I’D SAY FELDER MIGHT AS WELL BOOK A ROOM IN CANTON RIGHT NOW
Nice move for Boston. This is what I get for showering so much constant loathing for IT. Blech. Oh well, he’s a Cav now so… barf.
Realistically, who do we think might be available at the deadline? I would pass on any deals involving Anthony or Wade. Not worth the draft pick.
NEVER FORGET
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ8yCJgsF_4
https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/811205076194824193
Absolutely appreciate that shot.
NEVER EVER WILL.
I’m shocked. Even though I expected it all along, still hurts to see him gone.
Thanks for everything Kyrie.
Yeah agreed. Was absolutely expecting it to happen, but held on to a sliver of hope it would blow over. Can’t hate on the guy. Will always remember that shot. Still riding the high from that championship run. Won’t root for him anymore but won’t hate on him.
I’ll root for him. Hopefully not in the Cavs expense. Heck I got 5 pairs of his signature shoes from 1 to 3, and i expect to buy more in the future.
But I want to beat his a$$ in the playoffs for sure.
Yup…. he’s a Duke guy… so I’m always gonna be a fan of Kyrie. But the flat earth thing and now going to Boston? Let’s beat him like a drum!
Honestly… I’m probably delusional, but I think the trade’s good. Isn’t IT and Kyrie’s defense about the same, which is that they’re both trash on D? So if IT and Kyrie are giving you offense and no defense, really the Cavs gained a lottery pick and Crowder, who helps on the perimeter. Also, if LBJ is gone… at least they got a lottery pick for Kyrie.
No IT is actually much worse.
Much worse? I don’t know… they’re both bad. About the only thing I’ve seen either contribute defensively is the occasional steal.
No IT is much worse. Kyrie isn’t a plus defender, but IT is literally the worst defender in the league.
Kyrie CAN defend adequately when he wants to…in the Finals.
IT has no chance on defense.
Agree. Never did I saw IT be great at spurts on defense. Kyrie had, especially in the playoffs. Not that IT doesn’t try, but his physical limitations are really well.. limiting him.
I still think you can IT especially against backups… probably not starters though.
*hide
Actually not, which is surprising http://stats.nba.com/players/defense/#!?sort=DEF_WS&dir=-1
Nice find…. they’re almost the exact same.
In the regular season. Not in the playoffs. If you remember, Boston actually played better against us when Thomas was out because they were far better defensively.
When Kyrie tries he’s adequate.
See my above post for playoff numbers.
Thank God for the Tribe… Lindor just hit his 21st to tie the game… screw Boston!
Isaiah Thomas does NOT need hip surgery -Four Weeks Ago
https://www.celticsblog.com/2017/7/26/16035324/report-isaiah-thomas-does-not-need-hip-surgery-boston-celtics
Report from yesterday: He’s on track but timetable for return not set
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/ainge-more-tests-confirm-isaiah-thomas-hip-track
You would hope Cavs medical staff did their due diligence on Thomas’ hip before this trade..
@CavsDan the Chief Medical Officer did the exam himself I’m told…
From yesterday: Thomas hasn’t had hip surgery, was due for more rest and rehab, exact timetable for return not set.
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/ainge-more-tests-confirm-isaiah-thomas-hip-track
OK… just talking to my good friend who’s an NBA junkie. He thinks this trade means LBJ’s gone… probably going to NYK.. LBJ can get CP3, IT, DRose, Melo, Kristaps, DWade all up to MSG.
And just in general…. FAs would be willing to go to NY, whereas they won’t go to CLE.
Hilarious if they traded Kyrie for this reason when it is actually the antithesis of the reason they should trade him.
Right… but was Kyrie going to stay? Especially if Griffin was his guy and he wasn’t retained? I’m not sure.
Stay? He had no choice for at least two full seasons. Assuming LBJ is gone, that’s a full season to convince him to stay. Trading him forces Lebron’s hand even more than keeping him disgruntled.
That’s true… but in that scenario you might not even get a pick. Which is what they were able to get here… and a season to convince LBJ to stay.
Odd timing…
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/900153711028252676
Brooklyn pick for Wiggins?!
Not sure I want Wiggins on a max. He was awful defensively too. He has the potential to be a lock down defender but he has been statistically awful on that end for his entire young career.
Quit trolling Gordon Hayward
Ouch. But yeah I think Hayward is overrated too. Actually I think Wiggins has more potential than Hayward’s ceiling. The question is does he ever put it together. If he didn’t fall into line with thibs, I doubt he would with the team that spurned him.
I’d take that LOL. IT is such a lost cause for me right now. KI played defense in spurts and was more clutch when it mattered and didn’t have a hurt hip and wasn’t expiring.
TRADE MADE FOR DRAFT PICK / FREE UP CAP SPACE / STRENGTHEN THE BENCH / ALSO LEBRON IS A HUGE FAN OF I.T. ( WHICH HE IS NOT OF KYRIE ) THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY —–LEBRON IS GOING TO PUT IT INTO SUPER BEAST MODE —NO WAY IS HE GOING TO LET A KYRIE TEAM BEAT HIM IN THE PLAYOFFS !!!!
I’m heart broken but maybe IT will prove us all wrong and get Bron his second chip in The Land
It’s gonna be insufferable to listen to Simmons tells us how great Kyrie is after years of ripping him.
Pretty insufferable to listen to him talk about any Boston team. They need a long, long, LONG stretch of futility…
Cavs get their Kay Felder mentor
this was honestly my first thought
This made me lol
Best thing I’ve read today!
I’m just sick over this! I really liked Kyrie over Lebron since he left for Miami. I thought we had a shiny future with Kyrie. He was full of smiles and hope. WE got to the promise land finally with a 2016 championship.. And then the Summer of 2017 happened with Pro-athletes going rogue, egos out of control and the proverbial Sh^% hit the Fan with Kyrie thumbing his nose at us. I will NEVER understand this EVER! But I kinda feel I set myself up for disappointment for putting these pro-athletes on a pedestal like I had. I do… Read more »
If anyone was wondering, Nate does not like this trade…
Can’t wait for the season opener and if we see Celtics in the playoffs… angry LeBron vs Kyrie
IT was bad in playoffs last year, and KI was great. But KI played with LBJ and IT didn’t. Kyrie is a lot better than IT, but IT will be significantly better next to LBJ and Love.
But IT can’t defend anyone. In the regular season, teams don’t game-plan as much. In the playoffs, they attack IT and he gets killed.
Yeah. I agree. That is a problem. I would have no problem moving Thomas for Bledsoe or someone else.
Just hand the Dubs the trophy already?
That was going to happen regardless…(barring injuries)
Seriously lol.
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y9damqp6
If we could get Bledsoe, I would feel better. Phoenix might do that with Frye thrown in.
The more I look at it, the more I hate it. IT isn’t anything close to Kyrie, and no way do we resign him for max, which is what he wants. I don’t want to resign him, period. Basically, we got Crowder and two 20 year olds who won’t contribute for three years, for Irving. I think we got killed.
The pick is/can be a valuable trade asset.
So who is available if we flip the pick? Conley?
Probably nobody until the deadline.
Is there a deal involving IT and Zizic for Bledsoe?
I think no trade would have been better. I wish I had confidence in Altman. Just don’t know. What I do know is that IT is trash in the playoffs. KI is ten times better than IT. No defense from either but at least KI can score against elite competition. Crowder is useful. But otherwise, we’re now a better regular season team and worse for the playoffs. Anyone we get with the draft pick will be useless until LBJ is in steep decline. The only thing, ONLY thing I like about this trade, is that LBJ will destroy them in… Read more »
The pick will be used to trade for a star at the deadline.
I don’t think that is their plan.
Based on what? Unless you believe we are making trades to waste the GOAT’s possibly final year in Cleveland, why don’t think their plan is to win now?
We’ve gone to 3 straight NBA Finals. You don’t think we want to go to a 4th?
If James told Gilbert he was gone, you think Gilbert would trade the pick?
Your reasoning is flawed. I don’t think LeBron will leave but Dan does. I think he is preparing for life when Kevin Love and IT are dragging this team to an 8th seed after LeBron leaves.
And so begins the process of talking myself in to this
If they keep Thomas, he’ll be really good in regular season. (Just saying, I’m not trying to talk myself into this, though)
You mean if he doesn’t have hip surgery?
Sure, but that’s always a wildcard…if he was going to have it, I suppose he was going to do it by now.
https://twitter.com/robertproehl/status/900148956289740800
Pic got me triggered again. Ahhhh
Jae Crowder shot 40% on threes last season. And he took more than 5 per game..
That’s promising. But his best in five previous seasons was 34%.
Hopefully he’s getting better with age, and he’ll get better looks with LeBron. But I need to see him repeat that performance before I buy into it.
Well maybe IT will fail his physical ??????
As much as ESPN wants to make this a Kyrie-for-Isaiah trade (see ESPN front page… “Cavs deal Kyrie for Isaiah”), it’s simply not. This deal was for the Brooklyn pick and veteran pieces.
The Brooklyn pick allows us begin trade talks at the deadline with the best trade asset in the NBA at the deadline. If an established star becomes available, we are basically on a short list of teams that have super-valuable asset(s) to get a deal done.
https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/status/900146983452758016
Really question that GM.
It was a two headed GM…Gar/Pax…
It was Vivek Ranadive…
That #1 pick could turn into a superstar at the deadline.
What number 1 pick is he talking about? We are only guaranteed top 4 even if Brooklyn has the worst record.
John, stop saying only guaranteed top 4. If Brooklyn has the worst record, we would have to be incredibly unlucky to end up with the #4 pick.
Can you name the last time the worst record in the league drafted 4th?
Not off the top of my head. I look at things through minimum return in these types of cases. Until the lottery happens there are no guarantees. As of right now the pick is not as valuable to other teams as a player picked in the top three or a pick in the top 3. Right now it only has the potential to be a high draft pick which is something teams will take into account if they are looking to deal for it. It lessens its value until the actual outcome of the lottery is decided and it falls… Read more »
From the propaganda office of Sam Amico. And I’m not even that high on Kyrie…
My thoughts exactly. I just need Jeff Phelps to chime in to complete the propaganda message.
Can’t wait till Cols explains why this was a great trade…
Now Cavs just have to stomp the Celtics for the next 3-4 years in the playoffs; good enough reason for LeBron to get into #SavageMode and it oughta make opening night absolutely insane.
Much better than what I had expected! I hope IT is back in the mix for training camp and ends up being about as durable as Irving was. It’s a funny league.
LOL
https://twitter.com/InsideHoops/status/900147758694268928
Well at least that made me laugh a little
I was hoping they’d ride out the storm and seriously go for another title this season then let the cards fall as they may.
Ditto. And if any team could deal with the LeBron-Kyrie drama, it was this team.
Apparently Kyrie’s camp was saying he would be happy “anywhere but Cleveland”
I KNOW!! I kept thinking they would give it a go and at least try and give it a shot. Kyrie would have been worth the effort.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/900146591499145216
Only good thing is Irving will likely infuriate President Stevens…
Or will Stevens finally get KI to play some D?
I think it’ll be one or the other…KI will learn he can’t play like Kobe, and being lazy on D is unacceptable, or he’ll get shipped…or President Stevens will get fired/ quit…
Would Detroit do IT and Shump for Avery Bradley?
LOL
I guess one bright side is that this should free up enough cap space to bring in DWade at some point…
I’d be more excited if Wade wasn’t kinda washed…
Still gives us a lot of options. We can flip either IT +/- the pick for someone this season. Shump is expendable so we may get something for him. Thomas has one year left so we suddenly have cap space next year (maybe CP3?). Can still get Wade or Anthony on a buyout.
Exactly. The Brooklyn pick is SUPER valuable. Remember, Boston didn’t want to move it in a trade for PG13…
That pick is going to be incredible valuable this year when Brooklyn is the laughingstock of the NBA again (or is Russell going to make them good LOL). Do not be surprised to see the Brooklyn pick sent to a team like New Orleans for Boogie (if that team isn’t doing great) or OKC for PG13 (if OKC doesn’t look like one of the best teams in the West).
The biggest question is what the Cavs’ front office does with it. Do they hold onto it to potentially save the post-LeBron era (assuming LeBron walks after this season) or do they use it to go after another ring?
I expect they will hold onto it. And no way OKC is trading PG13. I also don’t think Cousins is worth it.
Lastly, Thomas is a rental after all. If they could sucker a team into taking Thomas we might get a decent return.
Lol.. Cousins not worth it? Yeah, I hate top 5 talents in the NBA.
You think he is a top 5 talent? That is a real stretch. Better than James, Durant, Harden, Curry, Davis, Westbrook, Paul? He has never won anything. Has not shown he can carry a team, and is inefficient as a scorer and a poor rim protector. He is also slow as molasses laterally which could make him nearly unplayable against small ball warrior lineups.
Also he won’t get ISO postups on a team with LBJ.
Probably top 15 or so, but he’s a nonstop a-hole (I remember Lowe talking about how surprised he was to hear how everyone hated him when he was vying for the Olympic team a few years ago…he sounded shocked), and that stuff affects teams.
Top 15 yes. Again, I don’t know if teams can beat golden state with postups.
Yeah picks and Dan Gilbert don’t excite me.
We don’t have the cap space even after losing IT
So the silver lining is that Rose is still not our starter…
Yes, precisely!
JR has to love the opportunity to play with Crowder…
He’ll have plenty of practices to work on his reverse punch…
LOL Thank you our CtB comic relief!
This team would have been a dynasty if not for Golden State. Never forget would could have been in 2015.
Can we swap Isaiah Thomas and the pick for Middleton and Delly?
I would
Lmao listening to ESPN radio. Saying that the Celtics are head and shoulders better than the Cavs and discussing if they have a shot against the Warriors. Conveniently forgetting that Thomas was arguably better than Kyrie last year (in a vacuum).
In the regular season sure. He’s not better than Kyrie.
Not in the playoffs. Thomas was terrible in the playoffs against us.
I just think flipping Kyrie and IT doesn’t make up the giant difference that LeBron makes.
They still don’t have anyone to rebound.
Ugh Thomas is a rental. EG, people are saying this means LeBron is gone. You’ve been a staunch LeBron stays supporter. How does this change or not change your view?
How many years left on his contract?
This is Thomas’s last year…
And wasn’t he supposed to have off-season hip surgery? IDK if that happened…
It didn’t if I remember correctly.
I think he was told he didn’t need it, and so didn’t have it…I may be wrong, but I think that was the case…
All depends on what @CavsDan the GM does now… I think if he can move IT, Shump and the pick for another star, then it could bode well. My only concern is that Dan holds onto the pick because he believes LeBron is gone.
I don’t have much faith in that trade happening…
Interesting trade IT dropped kyrie numbers without lebron and now he joins them also see crowder replace shump off bench…anyone know a thing about this zicic dude…let’s hope Brooklyn sucks again
I instantly hated this trade…. but trying to be logical, I think IT really helps 2nd team offense any time LBJ is on the bench. Crowder will be useful on the perimeter. Pick is nice…. am I just talking myself into liking this trade?
Yes.
Yes.
No. This is an awesome trade for the Cavs.
Move the Brooklyn pick for Delly.
Season opener anyone? Ohhhhhh mannnnn
What are the chances Cavs make another trade, sending IT and the Brooklyn pick else where?
Depends on what you think the chances are that @CavsDan will give up his ability to draft his next star in case LBJ bolts next summer…
Wait, you said LBJ not bolting :)
I said “in case”
I still don’t think he will, but who knows what he thinks of this trade…
Not sure who wants the privilege of paying IT 7 billion dollars to keep him…
This should be a fun reunion…
https://twitter.com/Krake_N_Bake/status/900141495205933056
Great return. But my overwhelming feeling is one of sadness. The LBJ/Kyrie Cavs had a great run. Could have been a Dynasty with some different luck.
This is why high character guys (Owners,FO and players) with skills is vital in building a dynasty. This is why the Warriros (hate to say this) is light years ahead of us
Wow. .. didn’t see that coming. I wasn’t expecting Dan to wanna help the Celtics. I don’t know how to feel. I like IT but man his size just kills any defensive ability.
whoa.
Not exactly a fan of the returns. But probably best offer for this moment in time.
The Brooklyn pick is the answer here. We’ve talked about Bledsoe + Jackson for Kyrie as being a trade many would be OK with. IT+Crowder > Bledsoe Brooklyn’s #1 pick COULD be > Jackson if it’s first overall. To make this a great trade for us, we need to move the Brooklyn pick during the season for an established star (i.e., PG13 or Boogie). Then we win this trade by a mile. As it stands, I think this is a very good return. I am NOT a fan of IT because his defense is atrocious. I don’t really know what… Read more »
Draft next year has a couple of good prospects, but not regarded as highly as the past draft…
I mean I would be more psyched about the pick if we knew it would be in the top 4. We don’t. We also don’t know that next year’s class will be anywhere near as deep as this year’s. It almost certainly won’t as this year’s is regarded as one of the deepest and most talented in years. So the likelihood of it turning into a player of Jackson, Fultz’s, Tatum’s, Ball’s potential is slim just based off lottery odds and the fact that it is unlikely that next year’s class will be as deep as this year’s.
Why the Celtics though, from all the misery they put us favs through it would be hard for me to root for Kyrie on that team.