Sorry, Bucks fans, but Kyrie Irving will not be coming to Milwaukee after all.
Late Tuesday night, just hours after reports started to swirl about how the Bucks might be interested in swinging a deal for Irving if the Cavaliers’ proposed trade with the Celtics involving Irving and Isaiah Thomas fell through, Cleveland and Boston found a way to complete their deal. In addition to sending Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick to the Cavaliers, ESPN reports the Celtics will also add a 2020 second-round draft pick acquired through a previous trade with the Heat to Cleveland in exchange for Irving.
This concludes a wild week that saw the Cavaliers and Celtics agree to a trade on Aug. 22 before Cleveland showed some trepidation about moving forward with the deal after giving Thomas a physical and inspecting the hip he injured at the end of the 2016-17 NBA season. On Tuesday, Thomas spoke with ESPN for the first time since being traded and said that, despite the fact he is still rehabilitating the hip, he fully expects to be back on the court next season. And that, along with the Celtics’ willingness to part ways with a second-round pick, ended up being enough to convince the Cavaliers to go through with the deal.
Earlier this week, the Cavaliers were reportedly looking for more than just a second-round pick as additional compensation for Thomas’ injury. They also had their eyes on either Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum, but the Celtics were unwilling to part ways with either player. They also reportedly balked at the Cavaliers’ insistence on the Celtics including another first-round pick as part of the deal.
Irving is expected to be introduced to Celtics fans during a press conference in Boston on Friday. It’s unclear when the Cavaliers will introduce Thomas, Crowder, and Zizic at this point. But after a crazy end of August, it’s safe to say that all of the players involved in the trade are happy to see that this deal is finally done.
Related Stories
People Completely Lost It After Kyrie Irving Got Sent to the Celtics for Isaiah Thomas
The NBA got Twitter buzzing after Kyrie Irving was sent to the Celtics for Isaiah Thomas.
Isaiah Thomas’ Old Tweets About LeBron James Are Probably Irrelevant
Yes, Isaiah Thomas sent out a few anti-LeBron tweets back in 2010. But don't expect it to affect his relationship with his new teammate.
Kyrie Irving to the Bucks? It Might Happen If the Cavaliers' Trade With the Celtics Falls Apart
Kyrie Irving could be sent to Milwaukee if the Cavaliers' trade with the Celtics ends up getting scrapped.
