Boston Celtics: How Miami’s 2020 second-round pick settled the Irving-Thomas trade
By Gio Rivera
The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers officially resolved their Kyrie Irving/Isaiah Thomas trade conflict with Celtics General Manager, Danny Ainge adding a 2020 2nd round pick to Boston’s package.
It’s official. 25 year old point guard, Kyrie Irving is now the newest member of the Boston Celtics as a 2020 2nd round pick via the Miami Heat as resolved all conflict prompted behind the Isaiah Thomas hip injury concern.
Cleveland delayed a finalization of the original trade, expressing their concern for the recently injured hip of point guard, Isaiah Thomas and demanding compensation from the Celtics to complete an already fair exchange.
It’s been over a week since the entire league was shocked by the blockbuster trade of this off-season was pulled off, bringing a premier star in Kyrie Irving to Boston.
On August 22nd, the Cavs agreed to send Kyrie Irving to Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the 2018 Brooklyn Nets 1st-round pick.
Now the Cavaliers will receive a 2nd round pick in 2020 to solve the conflict generated by Cleveland’s attempt to play off an ignorant cameo to gain more in a trade which in a sense they win.
Now not to say Boston loses this trade by any means. But by managing to successfully pull off a deal that sends a dissatisfied player and gain such a package that prepares you for the anticipated post-Lebron era, Cleveland gets what they need.
They managed to pull it off with the best available trade suitor in the entire league who holds the best available assets.
All despite their tremendous expression of unnecessary greed to gain more than deserved.
Young talent remains
As all expected, young prospects Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum remain with Boston and will be gearing up in Celtic green coming opening night in Cleveland.
Related Story: Boston Celtics, Cavaliers finally reach agreement on Irving-Thomas deal
It was most certainly an unrealistic scenario to even develop with Ainge giving up a Tatum or a Brown to complete and already more than fair deal for Cleveland.
The Celtics were Cleveland’s best bet in attaining the best possible package for a dissatisfied Kyrie Irving, who had no aspirations of remaining with the Cavs and playing alongside Lebron James in the future.
However now Kyrie gets what he wants, Cleveland gets what they need, and Danny Ainge delivers.
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In Boston, Irving receives the perfect opportunity to showcase his talent which has led him to 4 NBA All-Star appearances (2013–2015, 2017), an All-Star MVP (2014), Rookie of the Year honors (2012), and NBA Champion (2016). A team which stood atop his former, Cleveland Cavaliers last season in the Eastern Conference.
Irving gets to play alongside Gordon Hayward, who is certainly no LeBron James but has proven himself in the league to perform in the playoffs. Most notably in last seasons playoffs in which Hayward was faced with the task of leading the Utah Jazz in a rough 4-game sweep in the hands of the Golden State Warriors.
Irving like Hayward has performed come playoff time, a vital attribute which the Celtics are in need of within their players, heading into next season and eventually the postseason.
Irving-Hayward Playoff Stats
Kyrie Irving (52 Playoff Games)
- 23.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 46.5 FG%, 87.6 FT%
Gordon Hayward (15 Games)
Now we can all put this drama aside and prepare for 2018 opening night in Cleveland which will be a highly anticipated game for both teams, considering the moves surrounding the organizations this off-season.
Next: Boston Celtics: Remaining free agents that can help in 2017
Until then, welcome to Boston Kyrie Irving. Again and officially!