The Kyrie Irving trade rumors can finally be put to rest as the Boston Celtics traded Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn's 2018 first round pick. The Celtics acquired their second All Star caliber player this offseason. The team signed Gordon Hayward to a max level contract back in July. Now, the team features a starting lineup of at least Irving, Hayward, and Al Horford. The team also gets to keep their youngest pieces in Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown, and Terry Rozier.
There were plenty of teams that were in the hunt for the four time All Star, but why did those trades fall through?
Here's a recap of why the other teams in the league failed to land the 25-year-old scoring machine.
San Antonio Spurs lacked cap space
The Spurs would have loved to deal for Irving. However, it would have likely cost LaMarcus Aldridge. Given that Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard are the two main cogs in the offense, the team wanted to keep both. The Spurs did not have a lot of wiggle room. Patty Mills would have had to be traded and the Cavalier didn't want him. Plus, the Spurs have no other young superstars that the Cavs would have wanted.
Miami Heat lacked talent
Thomas is way more of an upgrade that Goran Dragic. The team could have offered Justise Winslow, but he is not a top talent in the league.
Dragic could have been a filler for years, but the Cavaliers are looking to win now with James potentially leaving after this season.
Knicks lacked direction
Are the Knicks going to trade Carmelo Anthony? Do they want to get younger and more athletic? The team signed Tim Hardaway Jr. to a lot of money. Free agents are skipping out of New York.
Irving would have likely bolted when his player option kicked in. Plus, the Knicks were never going to give up Kristaps Porzingis.
Timberwolves didn't want to give up Andrew Wiggins
Wiggins was the main trade chip that landed the Cavaliers Kevin Love in 2014. Wiggins has enjoyed three solid seasons, including a career high in points this past season.
The Timberwolves didn't want to give him up, and they even locked him in for five more years with a max level contract.
Suns loved Devin Booker and Josh Jackson
Both players are 20 years old or younger. The Cavaliers wanted Jackson badly, but the Suns said they were going to keep their No. 4 overall draft pick. The Suns would have loved to move Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight, before the injury, but the Cavaliers didn't want to take a package of veterans that didn't feature a young superstar.
