In retrospect, that's probably a better deal than the Celtics' package.
The trade, however, went ahead as Irving was traded to Boston in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Žižić and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round draft pick.
In a column published Wednesday, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic recalled a particularly amusing quip that a frustrated an anonymous Cavs player delivered in the aftermath of a loss this winter.
But somehow the trade has only managed to look worse and worse for the Cavaliers over the past couple of weeks. Thomas, meanwhile, only played 15 games for the Cavaliers before they shipped him to the Lakers for guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance Jr.
The Cavaliers still miss Kyrie Irving, and one player has reportedly taken out his frustration on Celtics general manager Danny Ainge.
Report: Cavs Player Called Danny Ainge 'F--king Thief' After Kyrie Irving Trade
And now, here we are, months later with the Irving-less Celtics up 2-0 on LeBron James and company.
Even though he is hurt for the playoffs, Irving averaged 24.4 points and 5.1 assists per game for the Celtics this season, and has been an integral leader for the team all year. Opponents have managed to outscore the Cavs by 82 points while Hood was on the floor despite him playing just 200 minutes. The Indians, in not acting to fortify (primarily because of financial constraints) what had been the most unique and reliable piece of the last two years, let the hole in the pen remain.The Cavs, in trading their second-best player without getting the return he was worth, failed by commission, acting when some would say no action was the best course. Cavaliers fans can't blame Irving for how this series has started, but honestly, they may just want to be glad he's unable to play now because the first two games could have been even uglier.
That trade unquestionably hurt the Cavaliers franchise in a big way.
Even without Irving and Gordon Hayward in the lineup, his roster of young, tough and talented players is two wins away from the National Basketball Association finals.
So, yeah. The trade was bad and the Cavaliers should feel bad.
18 May 2018
18 May 2018
