The offseason has been full of changes with current and past NBA all-stars switching teams like Paul Millsap, Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague, Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, and Rajon Rondo. The league has also seen new changes in NBA rules to improve game flow and a new schedule for next season. Here is a few more update in the free agency scene:
Celtics and Cleveland finish Irving trade
Kyrie Irving has been one of the most talked about NBA player the last month ever since he asked for a trade a month ago. But a couple of weeks ago Irving was finally traded to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizzi, and the Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round Draft Pick.
The trade had their issues because Isaiah Thomas was expected to play in the NBA opener but unfortunately Thomas still has deeper issues in his injury this offseason. This urged the Cleveland Cavaliers to ask for additional assets from the Boston Celtics. Now Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that the deal has finalized with the Boston Celtics getting Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland getting Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round draft pick, and Boston Celtics 2020 2nd draft pick from the Miami Heat.
Kyrie Irving has been exceptional the past few years despite being overshadowed by the greatest basketball player right now in LeBron James. Irving went into the NBA scene in 2011 where he was drafted first overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Last season he averaged 25.2 points (career high), 0.3 blocks, 1.2 steals, 5.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 40.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 90.5 percent from the charity stripe. Irving has stated that he is very excited about joining the Celtics this offseason.
Can Thomas fill in the hole Irving left?
Isaiah Thomas had an incredible run last year where he led the Boston Celtics to a number one seed finish in the NBA eastern conference. He had a roller coaster ride last year where his sister died and suffered a hip injury during a series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. His recovery is moving on perfectly this offseason but after further check up on his health, it seems like he will miss a huge part of the first part of the NBA regular season.
Last season Thomas had career high averages in points, blocks, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. With the NBA season right around the corner, it seems like Isaiah Thomas is very excited about joining the best NBA player in the world in LeBron James.
