The blockbuster trade between the Cavaliers and the Celtics sending Kyrie Irving to Boston and Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and Brooklyn’s 2018 first round pick to Cleveland was completed on Tuesday night. Well, almost completed.
The two sides made the agreement and the trade call went through to the NBA office, but on Friday, the Cavaliers did a physical on Thomas and his injured hip and there were reports that the results weren’t good and the deal could be in jeopardy. Thomas’ injured hip forced him to miss the end of the Cavs-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals series, but most anticipated that after Boston determined he didn’t need surgery, he would be able to return relatively early in the 2017-18 season.
However, the Cavs apparently have some concerns and that could lead to problems completing the trade that most everyone thought was a done deal. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the two teams will hold a call on Saturday to discuss the status of the trade and hash out any potential issues.
USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt reports that, while the Cavs may have concerns and could ask for more from Boston before approving the deal, the inclusion of the Brooklyn pick makes it highly unlikely that they will veto the deal.
Cavs like All-Star PG, 3/D wing & promising big from Celtics. But publicly/privately, they're thrilled about pick. Hard to see trade voided. https://t.co/MAq54fw32O
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) August 26, 2017
As Wojnarowski reports, the Cavaliers have until Thursday to make a decision on approving the deal, and could ask for more from Boston or veto it outright if Thomas failed his physical.
It is possible that Cleveland could request further compensation from Boston before it’ll approve the trade, league sources said. Cleveland has until Thursday to make a final decision on approving the trade, sources said. Cleveland can veto the deal based on a failed physical, sending players back to their respective teams.
The trade itself was shocking enough, but it would be a stunning if the Cavs voided the deal and sent Thomas back to Boston, where there are now some very clear hurt feelings, and Irving returned to Cleveland after so much drama involving his trade request.
