Celtics Acquire Kyrie Irving in Trade With Cleveland Involving Isaiah Thomas
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
“Kyrie is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He has proven that on the biggest stage, the NBA Finals, the last three years. He’s been an NBA Champion, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and a four-time All-Star. For all he’s accomplished, we think his best years are ahead of him,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge on a conference call.
The trade comes after Irving demanded a trade out of Cleveland back in July.
The Celtics have Irving under contract for the next two years. In those two years, he will earn $18.9 and $20.1 million respectively.
Thomas is a free agent after this season.
Kyrie Irving
Picked by Cleveland with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Irving has posted career averages of 21.6 points (45.7% FG, 38.3% 3-PT, 87.3% FT), 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.32 steals and 34.2 minutes in 381 games (all starts) throughout six seasons with the Cavaliers.
He has registered a scoring average of 20.0 points in four of his six NBA seasons, including a career-high 25.2 points in 2016-17.
Irving helped lead the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA championship, averaging 25.2 points on 47.5l% shooting in the playoffs.
Isaiah Thomas
“Isaiah embodied what it meant to be a Celtic. He captured fans’ hearts not only with his spirit, but his personality. Jae’s toughness was contiguous for our team. He improved his skills each year, but it’s his energy and fight that will be remembered. We wish them and their families the very best," said Ainge.
Last season, Thomas helped lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals where they fell to Cleveland in five games. Thomas missed most of the series with a hip injury.
It is unclear if he would be ready to start this upcoming season.
“There’s probably a little bit of delay for Isaiah to start this year,” said Ainge. He went on to add that he believes that Thomas “will be okay.”
NBA Reacts
That's the only way to be to the kid! Special talent/guy! Nothing but respect and what a ride it was our 3 years together Young Gode #Filayy https://t.co/wKYmYsmdgG
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 23, 2017
Wooow. Who wins with that trade? ��
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) August 22, 2017
Damn dog, my guy I.T. Deserve better. I understand it's a business but that dude did a lot of the organization. Only going to get better!
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) August 22, 2017
Wooahhhh !! i.e. #GameChangerDeal https://t.co/g9xzXEaBIx
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 23, 2017
Irving thrilled w/ joining Celtics and they'll have great chance to eventually re-sign him. Boston made deal with strong belief he'll stay.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 23, 2017
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