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.
Cleveland knew about IT’s hip, this was likely their plan all along to try and get more from the Celtics. I hope Ainge tells them fine, we like our players and Nets draft pick so cancel the deal.
If Boston liked those assets so much they would not have been dealt. Until Thursday it will be about additional assets or not.
My bet Cleveland is bluffing and C’s need to call. Cleveland does not want to give back the Nets first pick in next year’s draft — even if not the first pick the top 5 players are terrific.
As long as the celtics get screwed it’s ok
by me! HaHa
The Cavs aren’t trying to play games. They most likely went with the best deal on the table that checked all 3 boxes in terms of maintaining the ability to go back to the finals, regain flexibility by not taking on long and expensive contracts (in fact they shed salary in this deal) and collect future assets. The trade has also played well in the media as most have said the Cavs did a great job in terms of acquiring the right mix. Why would they jeopardize it? What more can they really squeeze from the Cavs.
Obviously, the Cavs want to move Irving before training camp but it’s not like Irving would be any more upset than he was before. Not like it would be their fault. Now for the Celtics, o..m..g can you imagine the dysfunction if IT stays with the Celtic? I doubt any other team would be interested in trading anything of significant value to get IT.
The Celtics need to make this happen even more than the Cavs. Worse case, the Cavs move down the list and accept a package not as good. More than likely, teems see what the Celts had to give and gauge whether or not they can match or come close to a similar package of their own.
This deal needs to go though, hook or by crook
Otherwise, how is Thomas going to go back to Boston?
I can’t see him being happy.
I hope the Sixers get involved, I would take Thomas or Irving and do whatever it took to get it done.
A Trio of Reddick/Fultz/Thomas or Irving would be exciting!
Would be exicting but that won’t happen for a couple reasons. First, the Celtics and Cavs want to end up with Kyrie and Isaiah respectively in any deal. Second, Sixers are going for versatile defensive lineups. Kyrie or IT doesn’t fit the bill
Yes teams that want to trade for Thomas should put in a call to Cleveland– quickly!
Cleveland is just looking for more assets, namely draft picks. It was no secret that Thomas’s hip was a problem. The physical probably revealed that Thomas won’t be ready by the beginning of the season. At the same time I don’t think Cleveland can take on any more salary without sending out a contract or two. So the likes of Jefferson, Shumpert, and Frye have to be considered as possible trade candidates.
Truthfully, if this deal does fall apart I will be literally rolling on the floor laughing. Irving returning to Cleveland and Thomas returning to Boston would be the definition of awkward. More awkward than Melo still being with the Knicks at the start of the season.
Seriously, these franchisees call for loyalty and respect and yet constantly ignore those qualities when it’s vice versa in the name of “This Is A Business”. Between the players having to much control and the owners lack of respect towards its stars the NBA is getting out of control.
The fans cry for loyalty, the owners know they have to pay for it. Your comment should be directed towards fans not franchises.
Ok. They could transfer back the deal, but they could also give the Celtics Thomas but the Celtics have to give a player, or a pick to keep Irving and also have Thomas
Hard to make salaries balance without IT going to Cleveland. I think Cleveland only wants additional pick(s). At most, Celtics could include a future second rd pick
That seems a little low for all this drama.
Celtics should not give them anything else. Take the position fine, we will love to have our players back AND the Nets no. 1 pick with no restrictions. Cleveland in a world of hurt if they have to take back Irving.
Oh you really think IT is gonna be so happy to come back?
Who cares if he is? Let him be sad all he wants but he will still play well and help Boston make the playoffs either way.
C’s said all of the right things about IT and Crowder — not ideal situation, but workable.
Yes interesting how well they set themselves up for their return.
In the all the commotion maybe Thomas agrees to get surgery finally– prpbably Ainge’s goal all along. Thomas should be ready to add a spark to Boston’s playoff run and Ainge helped the team in a novel way.
Cleveland still has several trade options for Irving. Let Boston worry about 3 extremely angry players that had to know worry about schools for their children to which they already began looking for in the Cleveland area and if the trade is dead, those players will have to try and get their kids enrolled back into the schools they were taken out of.
None of those trade options include the Nets unprotected first pick in next year’s draft.
This guy really said “at most” celtics new this could potentially end the deal they were just hoping they could get a player yet to enter his prime for the cheap…. Get ready, because if this doesn’t go through celtics stand to lose a whole lot. Try adding salary players or the lakers/kings pick. Reports are that this hip could affect his career going forward and doing surgery could add limitations to an already limited player. Cavs aren’t stupid.
Not stupid, just greedy.
Common man. Boston knew about IT all along. Cleveland was just going on what reports Boston/Ainge and media was pushing along and that is that IT would be ready.
Boston tried to pull a fast one. Hoping Cleveland would flinch and just accept a player that’s never going to play for Cleveland.
Hog wash. Cleveland gets a player they can plug into the lineup or at the very least another pick. Don’t be surprised if the Celtics lose a few of those picks via the NBA for punishment and the president has already been set.
Punishment?? His hip issue is common knowledge, Cleveland just wanted a closer look but they knew he would be questionable so save your ridiculous assessment.
AJ Preller approves of this trade.
Maybe just throw in Celtics 2018 1st round pick?
Not likely to be a lottery pick
It’s swaps for the nets pick because of the kg Paul pierce trade
I think this year it’s just an outright pick. Cs Have their own too
It does not swap they have it outright
Medical records are confidential. No other team could know the nature or extent of his hip injury until now. That’s why deals are subject to physicals. Originally, it was supposed to be an injury that wouldn’t even keep him out of the Finals and it’s lingered and lingered to the point where now the start of next season is in question and he’s looking to see other specialists. I think possibly not being ready at the start of the year was factored in, but not beyond that. Because he’s likely a rental, he has little value if he’s going to miss most of the season.
According to the NBA CBA: “(b) Should it be requested in connection with the contemplated assignment of a player’s Uniform Player Contract to one or more NBA Teams, a Team’s physician may furnish all relevant medical information relating to the player to (i) the physicians and General Manager, coaches, and trainers of such other Team or Teams…” No doubt Cleveland had all of the medial information on IT before the trade was agreed
Actually, this says the opposite. It authorizes the transfer only when there is a “contemplated assignment” (which only occurs when the trade is agreed to, with the actual assignment occurring when the trade is finalized).
IT might not be able to start the year is one thing. IT might miss the whole season is another thing all together. This trade needs to voided. Not tomorrow not Sunday now.
Celtics look like morons lmao. Cavs can say to Irving they tried to trade him but nothing came out of it and could potentially hurt the organization going forward, 1 more year and it’s your team. IT won’t resign, crowder, zizic wont be happy and there goes your lockeroom lmao.
Cleveland trying to get more when it knew that IT had a bad hip — Celtics only moronic if it caves in and gives more. Long term, C’s are better off with IT and Crowder plus Nets first pick next season in a robust draft. Deal was fair for both teams, Cleveland greedy and hoping Celtics are stupid.
Rude business by Ainge. They are rivals but really.
I suppose “Not ready to start the season” could mean “Not ready for all those regular games and then who knows what you have but so what we have Irving”.
Go Brooklyn!
Buyer beware — Ainge did not hide IT’s medicals, but Cleveland did the deal anyway.
Cavs were relying on their doctors reports. They got their answers and don’t like what they see. They will work out an additional pick or two and the trade will stand. Happens in baseball more often and 9 times out of 10 the trade stands but with a little more going to the team that receives the injured player.
@ohiodevil – We posted same time. Your endpoint is okay, but the Cavs have to be willing to void, then renegotiate. The problem with that is that we still would not have a backcourt force without still another deal! So… back to Phx, to Den, Mil… Is it best to have a big piece (Irving) or smaller pieces? (Crowder, Brown, picks, whatever) Ask them!
BTW Zizic is no longer pertinent and should go back. He was just filler for matching, not ready yet, and Cavs have 2018 needs.
IDK what Cleveland Clinic doctors got… maybe they were overconfident… that would not be surprising… maybe this whole thing exists for all parties in an atmosphere of, ‘Oh well, lets just give it a go see what happens’.
There was never the pomp and ceremony for the insiders that there was for the fans.
In the we have Ainge trying to get Thomas to get the surgery ASAP while he still has him under contract.