The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are in the opening stages of negotiating a point-guard swap involving Cavs guard Kyrie Irving and Celtics guard isaiah thomas, Shams Charania of The Vertical reported. Charania’s report was later confirmed by Adrian Wojnarowski, describing the talks as serious. When he demanded a trade on July 7, Irving did not mention the Celtics as his preferred trade destinations. He only specified four – the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 25-year-old Irving requested a trade in his desire to become the No.
1 option of another team, playing in a different city than LeBron James.
The Cavaliers, for their part, earlier eyed a win-now veteran, a blue-chip young player and a top draft pick. However, with the uncertain future of James, the Cavaliers are now looking for a young star in exchange for Irving. The 28-year-old Thomas may not be a young star but the Celtics may include some of their young players and future first-round picks for Irving. If the trade pushes through, the Celtics will keep Irving for a minimum of two years. Irving has two years and $39 million remaining on his deal and has a $21.3 million player option for the 2019-20 season.
Thomas in his last season with Celtics
Thomas is entering the final season of the four-year, $27 million contract that he signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2014.
Earlier, Thomas said that he wants a maximum payday from the Celtics at the end of the 2017-18 season. In an interview, Thomas said the Celtics must bring “Brinks trucks” or armored trucks carrying money when they negotiate with him. Thomas earlier congratulated fellow playmakers Kyle Lowry and Jrue Holiday, who recently signed huge deals with the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans, respectively.
Lowry received a three-year, $100-million deal while the Pelicans gave Holiday a five-year deal worth $126 million.
Celtics among those who inquired about Irving
When Irving’s trade demand went public, the Celtics were among those who initially inquired with the Cavaliers regarding their asking price for the All-Star point guard.
According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Celtics made the move so they be in the loop about any negotiations involving Irving. The Phoenix Suns, for their part, initially offered Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and TJ Warren for Irving but the Cavaliers turned it down as Cleveland wants either No. 4 overall pick Josh Jackson or Devin Booker to be part of the package. The trade did not push through as the Suns were unwilling to trade Booker or Jackson.
