The Celtics have plenty of draft picks available if Cleveland asks for another asset to complete the Kyrie Irving trade. The deal is currently on hold as the Cavaliers review the results of Isaiah Thomas‘ physical, and Brian Kalbrosky of HoopsHype examines some options for resolving the impasse.
Boston owns the Grizzlies’ 2019 first-rounder, which could be very valuable if Memphis decides to start rebuilding a team that is already showing some age. The pick is protected from spots 1-8 in 2019, 1-6 in 2020, then becomes fully unprotected in 2021. It’s a selection that could have as much value as the Nets’ pick that the Celtics just agreed to send to Cleveland.
Boston also has the Lakers’ first-rounder for next year, but only if it falls in the 2-5 range. If not, the Celtics will get the better of the Kings’ or Sixers’ first-rounders in 2019, unless it falls first overall. Another deal brought Boston the rights to a future Clippers’ first-rounder, which is lottery protected in both 2019 and 2020. If it doesn’t convey in either of those years, it will become a second-round pick in 2022.
In addition, the Celtics own all their future first-rounders and a wealth of second-rounders that they have collected over the years.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor tweets that Boston officials have been worried about Thomas’ hip becoming an issue since the trade was completed, and he believes an extra draft pick for Cleveland is the most likely outcome.
Boston has a competitive interest in having the trade go through, notes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, because having an injured Thomas on the Cavaliers at the start of the season would give the Celtics an easier path to the top seed (Twitter link).
From a Lifelong Celtic fan- please don’t include another pick. Force the cavs to void the trade and try to contend with Eric bledsoe and an even more unpredictable pick. I understand they have concerns over his hip but they made the trade for the Nets pick. Irving is a superstar but don’t let them back you into a corner. Take Thomas for one more year, let him leave. Trade crowder for whatever piece you need or another pick. If the celtics end up with 1 and say 4 or 5 next year they could end up with porter and ayton or bamba. Give me Tatum brown porter heyward ayton and birdied to build around and the celtics will be just fine.
That’s the worst idea ever
No it isn’t. I would have rather seen the Celtics keep everyone and ride it out next year. They could potentially get the 2 top picks next year. I get why Danny wants this deal to go through. It has everything to do with the timeline of the younger players. Kyrie is 25 and IT is 29. Danny doesn’t want to pay IT max dollars for a few more year of him being productive. Kyrie has more time to grow with the rooks then IT does. It’s that simple.
Yes it is.
You got to go for it sometime. You can’t keep building for the future every year, especially since you signed Hayward for all that money. Now is the time. Complete the trade, whatever it takes.
No because if IT is going anyway, why not get something back for him. It makes zero sense to simply let him leave.
I agree especially since the celtics critics are getting someone better and younger. With all the picks they have they will be able to great draft picks even if they give up one more
Scratch the word “critics” i think that was a typo
If IT needs surgery, what good will another remote draft pick do? Facilitate another rebuild like the great one they had going before LeBron came back? Cavs need to go for it this coming season (it may be the last time in a long time they’re legitimate contenders). If LeBron leaves, a lack of high draft picks won’t be their problem.
But then why would they go with Phoenix where they’d only get prospects and MAYBE Bledsoe? Why go with Milwaukee where they’d trade players at a different position from Kyrie (Brogdon a 2 and Middleton a 3)? This Boston deal gets Cleveland the best of both worlds for this year. Regardless, Cleveland is going far and even if Isaiah has to miss half the season or something (just spitballing on a timeframe here), it isn’t going to matter in the grand scheme of things.
It’s some now and some later, but it was better in total than the others offered so far, but only assuming IT can play. Missing some of the year isn’t fatal to the deal, and maybe expected based on rhetoric, but if he needs hip surgery, it’s unlikely you’ll see the same guy at all this coming season even if he plays some. A player should put off hip surgery until it’s 100% that it’s needed (particularly in advance of a contract year). But the Cavs were likely not thinking they would inherit a situation like this. Ainge is stingy with his picks, if he gives another significant one it’s likely because IT is 50/50 a matching contract.
I thought the Bucks package had potential. Brogdon played PG last year with GA, he can this year with LeBron. He’s not IT at all, but if Cavs aren’t really getting him, then … The other packages were non-starters, and the teams knew it. KI would just have to suck it up if that’s all he could yield (because if that’s all he can yield, he has no right to demand a trade).
It’s not a pick and MAYBE Bledsoe. It’s Bledsoe, the Suns pick (which hello, is just as valuable as the Brooklyn pick since they had the 2nd worst record last year behind Brooklyn) and other stuff. A healthy Bledsoe is better than an injured Thomas who may or may not require surgery.
Cavs got the Nets pick because of the uncertainty of IT’s hip. They are getting enough from Cs. Don’t give them anyone else. Kyrie is not worth giving up any more assets. Cavs are the ones that need to make a deal because of Kyrie’s demand, and you know they don’t want to start camp with Lebron and Kyrie.
“Thomas suffered a severe hip injury in the Celtics’ loss to the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals, but bypassed surgery when the injury occurred in May. The hip may still require surgery and Thomas could miss significant time, multiple league sources told Amico Hoops.”
Ok Celtics. You can have your broken down point guard, Crowder and your Euro goon. Nice try Danny. This trade needs to be voided right now. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Now.
Don’t forget the Nets pick. And according to Amico, that’s the prize of the deal from the Cavs perspective.
Put those 3 stiffs out there for trade and see what you get. A can of tennis balls and a peanut butter sandwich.
Cavs knew about Thomas’ injury when they made the deal. Don’t pretend like this just popped up during a physical and is a surprise to everyone. Call it what it is. The Cavs are just trying to extort more assets. Plain and simple.
The Suns offered their #1. They had the 2nd worst record last year and could be a bottom 4 team this year, even with Irving.
cadavers knew what they were getting when they made the trade,, Danny needs to tell them to either stick it or void the trade.
The terms should stand unless Cleveland wants a couple second rounders.
This trade can’t be fixed. It needs to be voided today.
Told everyone before cavs are in the driver seat. Buckle up celtics fans your guys are gonna mortgage your future for a marginally better team. Long term the picks are more valuable. Celtics made a bad decision to turn their back on IT and now they can’t go back because they will have a Distressed lockerroom with mixed emotions and hatred after being traded and traded back.