The offseason is nearing its end as the training camps are set to begin next month. The NBA has seen lots of changes these past few months from NBA all-stars changing team to new rules and schedules for next season. Everyone has been waiting for the send off of both Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony. Now we get our wish as Kyrie Irving has been traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics.
Boston Celtics let go of Thomas, Crower, and Zizic
After the Boston Celtics acquired Gordon Hayward this offseason, it seems likely that they have already decided on a core with Hayward, Thomas, and Horford.
But now, in a blockbuster trade, as reported by Shams Charania of The Vertical, Thomas has been shipped to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Crowder, Zizic, and Brooklyn's 1st round NBA future draft pick.
Before being traded this offseason Thomas had his best NBA season yet last season, he shot the lights out and was named an NBA All-Star. He averaged 28.9 points (career high), 0.2 blocks (career high), 0.9 steals, 5.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 46.3 percent from the field (career high), 37.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 90.9 percent from the free throw line (career high).
Jae Crowder was also a big piece of the trade along with Zizic and Brooklyn's first pick. Crowder entered the NBA when he was drafted with the 34th overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2012 NBA draft.
He played for the Dallas Mavericks in his rookie year and was traded to the Boston Celtics in the offseason of 2015. Crowder also had an incredible season last year having career highs in assists, rebounds, field goal percentage, three point percentage and minutes per game. He averaged 13.9 points, 0.3 blocks, one steal, 2.2 assists, and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, 39.8 percent from behind the arc and 81.1% from the charity stripe.
Cleveland gets rid of Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers finally make a move this offseason after some sad news from David Griffin leaving and Kyrie Irving's trade request. It was only a matter of when Kyrie was to be traded after him voicing his desire to be traded and lead a team of his own. Cleveland acquires four great assets in return for Kyrie Irving; they get an Irving replacement in Thomas, a solid wing defender in Crowder, a young asset in Zizic and a huge draft pick from the Brooklyn Nets. The NBA has gotten even more interesting with the Irving trade, will the Cavaliers continue their Eastern supremacy? Or will they be dethroned by the Boston Celtics?
