Ever since reports surfaced last month that All-Star Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving wished to be traded out of Cleveland with the desire to be the focal point of his own team, things have been surprisingly quiet, leading many to believe that Irving may start the 2017-18 as a member of the Cavs after all.
That all changed on Tuesday afternoon, after two bombshell reports from Shams Charania of The Vertical and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, stating that the Cavs and Celtics are closing in on a deal that would send Irving to Boston, and possibly All-Star Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland.
Cleveland and Boston engaged in active trade discussions centered on Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 22, 2017
Sources: Boston, Cleveland nearing deal on Kyrie Irving, but details still working to completion. Isaiah Thomas, Crowder, pick(s) in talks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 22, 2017
Isaiah Thomas’ contract is up next offseason, which is why the Cavs might be more interested in a package of picks and lesser players in exchange for Irving. Keep in mind that LeBron James also has a player option on his contract next offseason and is likely to opt out, meaning that the Cavs would be at risk to lose both players next offseason if they elected to trade for Thomas. Kyrie Irving is under contract through 2019-20.
Thomas, a two-time All-Star, is coming off his best season for Boston, averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists. Irving averaged 25.2 points and 5.8 assists for the Cavs
