The celebrated trade involving Kyrie Irving and isaiah thomas has yet to be completed with the Cleveland Cavaliers evaluating the hip injury of the latter. Ironically, it is the same injury that Thomas endured when the Cavs faced the Boston Celtics in last season’s Eastern Conference finals.

Under the NBA’s collective bargaining arrangement, trades can be voided if a player fails a physical. It has happened before to players like Luc Mbah a Moute (2015) and Tyson Chandler (2009). However, the case of Irving may be approached differently since the all-star guard is determined to leave Ohio.

Cavs have options

The key here is that the Cavs are currently evaluating the medical condition of Thomas. If they are not satisfied, the trade could be scrapped altogether. If not, there could be alternatives ahead. This would include the Celtics asking for another player or maybe more picks.

Curiously, the Cavs were already aware of the condition of Thomas. But with Irving wanting out, the Celtics package may have been the best on the table. Aside from Thomas, included were Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick – the part which reportedly appealed the most to Cleveland.

The easy way out is to void the deal and send all the players and assets back to their home teams.

For the Celtics, that may not be much of a problem. The same cannot be said for the Cavs unless some other team immediately steps up to instigate a deal.

I.T. in an awkward situation

Before the Isaiah Thomas hip injury came into play, Celtics fans vented their ire on I.T. by burning his jersey. LeBron James stood up to decry the move, something that was inadvertently not to Thomas’ liking.

Seeing him return to Boston would have been easier had it not been for those jersey-burning fiascos. Thomas has not touched on it but it does place him in a pretty awkward situation if he were to return.

For the Cavaliers, the main goal is to settle things down. Irving wants out and an alternative would be to renegotiate the package.

Offering another player is possible although the Cavs could opt at more picks which the Celtics have under their belt.

According to Yahoo Sports, the Celtics do own a lot of interesting picks that could interest the Cavs. They do have a mix of first and second rounders meaning they are options that could offset Thomas. But will these be enough?

A player or two could be added to the mix, preferably guards. The Cavs and the Celtics are scheduled to discuss things this weekend, a blockbuster trade that has now become complicated.
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