Reviewing Boston Celtics Trade For Irving
The Boston Celtics traded for Kyrie Irving on Tuesday. This trade sent a shockwave through the Celtics fan base and throughout the entire NBA community.
Irving is a 25-year-old point guard with two years left on his deal with the third year being a player option.
In exchange for Irving, the Celtics sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the 18 Nets pick to Cleveland. Many will debate if this is indeed a good trade, or even makes the Celtics better.
But in terms of Irving and Isaiah, their stats tell similar stories. But with term left on his deal, a younger age of 4 years, and growth potential, Irving over Thomas is a smart pick in terms of the future.
Losing Crowder isn’t a big deal. Boston already has Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum locked up at that position.
Zizic is still a big man prospect but left a lot to be desired in Celtics Summer League action. The real question here is the Net’s pick. The 18 Brooklyn pick is a reason to be concerned with no restrictions on it. On paper, the Net’s are a better team than they were last year.
But losing the Net’s pick means that Boston has lost their largest trading pick. One could argue Ainge should have included a Tatum or a Brown before the Net’s pick. Because of the Net’s pick, symbolized a potential to land a big man superstar like Anthony Davis.
But when it comes down to it, getting Irving was real, Davis? Not so much.
Ainge made the smart play for the long term on a player that seems committed to staying in Boston. If I were in his shoes, this move is a no brainer. It is easy to get sentimental about Thomas.
IT helped turn Boston into a contender and his personality fit right in. His play style, attitude, and the way Celtics fans showed their love and support for him after losing his sister in the playoffs will go down as one of the most emotional times in Boston sports. By no means should trading Thomas mean that we should degrade him as a player. Thomas is a top 5 guard in the NBA, an all-star, and an MVP type player.
But when it comes to sports, business is king.
Thank you IT.
Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas stands by himself during team introductions before a first-round NBA playoff basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Sunday, April 16, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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