The winners of the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes were finally announced. According to Jeff Goodman and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Boston Celtics traded Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn's 2018 first round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This ends a month of speculation on where Irving would go. Even though the Celtics were not on the list of preferred teams that included the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks, Irving waived his no-trade clause. According to a tweet from Wojnarowski, Irving is thrilled to join the Celtics.
Celtics win big with Irving acquisition
The Celtics have had a busy offseason. After claiming the number one seed, the Team's starting lineup is going to take a huge turn. Last year, the starting five featured Thomas, Avery Bradley, Crowder, Amir Johnson, and Al Horford. Only Horford remains from the starting five. Thomas and Crowder are now Cavaliers. Bradley was traded to the Detroit Pistons to make salary cap room, while Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Now, the team is likely to start Irving, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris, Gordon Hayward, and Horford. Hayward signed a max-contract this offseason, while Morris came over in the Bradley trade. The team now features three perennial All Stars in their starting five.
The team also kept all of their young pieces in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Terry Rozier. Now, the team looks to fight off the defending eastern conference champs.
Cavaliers going all in this season
The Cavaliers must believe that the rumors are true about LeBron James leaving after this season. It doesn't matter if the Cavaliers believe that can sign Thomas after this season.
If James is not with the team, they are not likely contenders. However, the Cavaliers can still go toe-to-toe with the Celtics. Thomas was fourth in scoring last season. He adds a powerful scoring punch to a team that has JR Smith, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson. If James is going to leave, then the Cavaliers made a bold move.
Wade next to come?
Dwyane Wade is looking to secure a buyout with the Chicago Bulls. He does not need to sign for a lot of money either. Wade could go to the Houston Rockets if the team can secure a trade for Carmelo Anthony. However, the movement has stalled. If the deals fall through, Wade could go to Cleveland and reunite with James, who he won two titles with. Wade could start for Smith, and allow Smith to come off the bench, which is a role that suits him better anyway.
