The Boston Celtics have asked the Cleveland Cavaliers about a potential swap for Kyrie Irving, who demanded a trade recently as he wants to become the focal point of a team’s offense rather than play sidekick to LeBron James. Zach Lowe of ESPN reported that the Celtics have called the Cavaliers regarding their asking price for Irving. The call was made to inform the Cavaliers to keep them in the loop in terms of any negotiation involving Irving.
Lowe said the Celtics have a rich pool of tradeable pieces that can interest the Cavaliers. The Celtics could offer isaiah thomas, Jae Crowder and one of their top picks for next season.
They acquired the Brooklyn Nets' pick several years ago and also hold the Lakers/Kings pick they got from the Philadelphia 76ers when they traded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Deal between Celtics-Cavs unlikely?
While a deal between the top two teams in the East is unlikely, the Celtics have nothing to lose in inquiring about Irving. Also, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is known to collect assets that can help the team regardless of the situation. Recently, the Celtics won the Gordon Hayward sweepstakes, signing the former Utah Jazz forward to a four-year, $128 million deal. However, they had to trade long-time point guard Avery Bradley to the Detroit Pistons to create salary cap room for Hayward.
Thomas to negotiate a new deal
In addition, Irving has two years remaining on his contract, giving the Celtics less financial risk rather than Thomas, who will negotiate for a new deal next summer. According to CSN New England, Thomas mentioned “Brink trucks” when asked about his upcoming negotiation with the Celtics. He also mentioned the new deals signed by fellow point guards Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors and Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Lowry recently signed a three-year, $100 million deal to stay with the Raptors while Holiday received a five-year contract worth $126 million with the Pelicans. Thomas is expected to receive a maximum deal from the Celtics after playing last season on a bargain. Thomas will earn $6.2 million in the last year of the four-year, $27 million contract that he signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2014.
Despite playing on a bargain, Thomas delivered an MVP-like performance last season, averaging 28.9 points as he steered the Celtics to the No. 1 seed in the East and a berth in the Conference Finals. However, Thomas suffered a season-ending hip injury, allowing the Cavaliers to cruise to victory in five games.