Cavs Trade Kyrie Irving To Celtics For In Trade Package Centered Around Isaiah Thomas

USA Today

Over the last few years, the Boston Celtics have been reluctant to part ways with trade assets to improve their roster. The Celtics have famously stockpiled draft picks and have had multiple chances to land big-name players in exchange for those picks, but haven’t pulled the trigger until now.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman and Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston has acquired Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers:

The Boston Celtics have acquired All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers for point guard Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and Brooklyn’s 2018 unprotected first-round pick, the teams announced Tuesday night.

After months of speculation with rumors surrounding the Celtics interest in Jimmy Butler and Paul George, the team ends up with one of the best point guards in the game. Irving is an upgrade at the position and arguably the new face of the franchise alongside the recently signed Gordon Hayward.

As for Thomas, the fiery guard heads to Cleveland to playing alongside arguably the best player in the game in LeBron James. Although Thomas moves on to a potentially better situation in terms of competing for a title, it may be a one-year scenario for the veteran as he can become a free agent next summer and could leave if LeBron chooses to do the same in free agency.

As if the rivalry between these two teams didn’t need any more fuel added to the fire, the Celtics and Cavs will square off in their season-opener on Oct. 17 in Cleveland.