The much-publicized trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics involving their high-profile point guards could end canceled. Reports point to isaiah thomas’ hip injury as the potential reason the Cavaliers might back off the deal.
According to the sources of ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers are reportedly weighing their options whether to push through with the trade after the 5’9 point guard underwent physical exams last Friday. One source suggested that all players must pass the physical exam or the deal could be voided.
Game experts and analysts are now asking whether the Cavs should void the deal on the grounds that Thomas might not be able to play at the start of the 2017-18 NBA Season.
If they do, they will lose the opportunity to land a high first-round pick next NBA Draft.
Voiding Kyrie trade
Wojnarowski reported that Thomas, 28, traveled to Cleveland and underwent physical test and evaluation regarding the condition of his hip injury. According to his sources, all players included in the trade should pass the physical test or the deal can be voided.
Sources: After Isaiah Thomas underwent physical today, Cavs still evaluating injured hip and weighing options w/ completion of Irving deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
Thomas traveled to Cleveland, took exam and flew back out of town, sources said. All players must pass physical, or a deal can be voided.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
One source suggested that Thomas getting clearance remains a very sensitive situation.
It was not further elaborated. Earlier, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told Chris Mannix of The Vertical that Thomas’ hip will undergo evaluation in September. He added that the team can only make the next decision after the test. Yet the following day, news about the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade surfaced.
As one source involved in the process involving Thomas' medical clearance told ESPN late Friday night, "It's a very sensitive situation."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
Securing Cavs future
Part of the trade deal is for the Boston Celtics to send their 2018 unprotected first-round draft pick (from Brooklyn Nets) to Cleveland.
According to league sources, this is the most significant asset of the trade in securing the team’s future minus LeBron James.
Some basketball analysts suggest that the Cavaliers push through with the trade even with the uncertainty of Thomas’ future since he will become a free agent next year, anyway. Others experts suggest replacing Thomas with another draft pick. One thing they have in common -- the Cavs must secure that 2018 unprotected first-round draft pick.
What went before?
Thomas first hurt his hip during the third quarter of the March 15 home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He missed the next two games against the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers, though he came back strong and played all the remaining 12 regular season games.
The pain reportedly recurred during the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Washington Wizards. Thomas did not play in the second half of the Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cavaliers. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the postseason.
In the middle of July, reports that Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving requested to be traded out of Cleveland began to surface. Since then, a lot of NBA teams offered to accommodate the four-time NBA All-Star. This week, the trade between the Cavs and Celtics were announced with the latter sending Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and an unprotected 2018 draft pick to Cleveland for Irving.
