The blockbuster trade involving All-Star guards Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas is far from done, as the Cleveland Cavaliers raised concerns about Thomas’ hip injury following Friday’s physical. The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, stressed that they were transparent about the guard’s condition and plan to resist the Cavs’ request of additional draft picks.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, a stand-off between the two teams is expected to happen over the next couple of days before they ultimately reach a resolution on the matter. However, in order for the trade to push through, somebody has to give in.
Cavs Want Additional First-Round Pick
Woj explained the situation the Cavs and the Celtics are dealing with following Thomas’ failed physical. According to the veteran NBA Insider, the Cavs are still weighing options whether to accept the Celtics’ current trade offer or veto it altogether. The Cavaliers are expected to ask the Celtics the inclusion of an additional trade asset in the form of a draft pick or a young player in order for the deal to materialize.
Unfortunately, the Celtics are unlikely to honor the Cavs’ demand anytime soon. Chris Mannix of the Vertical at Yahoo Sports reported that Celtics officials insisted they never concealed information regarding Thomas’ current condition and the Cavaliers were very much aware of the extent of the injury (torn labrum) before they agreed to the deal.
Still, Wojnarowski doesn’t think Thomas’ red-flag will get the trade vetoed. “The Celtics will initially resist the Cavs’ request of additional assets. Boston believes they were very transparent with Cleveland about where Thomas was physically, his rehab.”
“Cleveland’s version of this is that they didn’t realize how long Thomas could potentially be out this season.
He’s in the final year of his contract, and obviously, that matches up with what will likely be the final year of LeBron’s current deal. So there’s going to be a showdown here between these two teams that makes things interesting the next couple of days,” per Woj.
Should the Celtics eventually give in to the Cavs’ request, the 2018 Lakers first-round pick (acquired from the draft day trade with the Philadelphia 76ers involving Markelle Fultz) or their own first-round pick will likely be used as the ‘trade sweetener’ in the deal.
Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum on the block?
The news about the Cavs looking to ask additional assets from the Celtics in order to save the blockbuster trade also cast a cloud of uncertainty on the future of several Celtics’ young players, particularly Brown and Tatum. These two promising wing-men are coming off impressive stints at Las Vegas Summer League and expected to be integral parts of their campaign next season.
Wojnarowski assured that these players will not be dealt in any deal. “Cleveland is trying to inquire about a couple of Celtics’ young players, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, whom they tried to get in the original trade. That is very unlikely,” according to the NBA insider.
