The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics have swung a blockbuster deal.
The Cavs are sending point guard Kyrie Irving to Boston in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round pick, sources told ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
The two teams completed the trade call with the league office Tuesday night, reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Vertical's Shams Charania was first to report the story earlier Tuesday while Cleveland and Boston were working out the details.
Cleveland sent Boston packing in the Eastern Conference finals before losing in the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors. Since then, Irving asked to be traded and provided a list of preferred destinations.
It was rumored the Celtics were among roughly 20 teams to reach out to Cleveland about the four-time All-Star, but it was reported as recently as last week that Boston had yet to make a formal offer.
The Cavs were reportedly seeking a package that includes a young star, veterans, and picks in return. Among the studs they were believed to be eyeing was No. 3 pick Jayson Tatum, but Boston wasn't willing to give him up. So instead, the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves were the rumoured front-runners for Irving's services.
Irving, 25, averaged a career-high 25.2 points to go along with 5.8 dimes, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals last season. He has two guaranteed years left on his contract that'll see him earn about $39 million. It's believed the former first overall pick wants out of Cleveland and into a situation where he can be the focal point, rather than playing second fiddle to LeBron James.
Thomas, 28, is coming off a career year that saw him average 28.9 points (third in the NBA), 5.9 assists, and 2.7 boards per contest for the Celtics, who finished atop the East. He has one year remaining on his bargain deal, and is expecting the next team to pay him to bring out a Brinks truck full of cash.
The 2017-18 regular season opens Oct. 17 with the Cavaliers hosting the Celtics.
The Cavs are sending point guard Kyrie Irving to Boston in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round pick, sources told ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
The two teams completed the trade call with the league office Tuesday night, reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Vertical's Shams Charania was first to report the story earlier Tuesday while Cleveland and Boston were working out the details.
Cleveland sent Boston packing in the Eastern Conference finals before losing in the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors. Since then, Irving asked to be traded and provided a list of preferred destinations.
It was rumored the Celtics were among roughly 20 teams to reach out to Cleveland about the four-time All-Star, but it was reported as recently as last week that Boston had yet to make a formal offer.
The Cavs were reportedly seeking a package that includes a young star, veterans, and picks in return. Among the studs they were believed to be eyeing was No. 3 pick Jayson Tatum, but Boston wasn't willing to give him up. So instead, the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves were the rumoured front-runners for Irving's services.
Irving, 25, averaged a career-high 25.2 points to go along with 5.8 dimes, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals last season. He has two guaranteed years left on his contract that'll see him earn about $39 million. It's believed the former first overall pick wants out of Cleveland and into a situation where he can be the focal point, rather than playing second fiddle to LeBron James.
Thomas, 28, is coming off a career year that saw him average 28.9 points (third in the NBA), 5.9 assists, and 2.7 boards per contest for the Celtics, who finished atop the East. He has one year remaining on his bargain deal, and is expecting the next team to pay him to bring out a Brinks truck full of cash.
The 2017-18 regular season opens Oct. 17 with the Cavaliers hosting the Celtics.
