21 Jul 2017 21:18:40
Cavs Thomas Crowder 2018 nets pick

Celtics Kyrie Irving

1.) 22 Jul 2017
22 Jul 2017 01:06:15
Value is solid and would be a great move that would set Cavs up decently for the short term and long term (if Lebron leaves don't have to resign Thomas) . However, I think the fact that Boston and Cleveland are rivals complicates this trade since even if Cavs are taking the long route and want a complete rebuild the Celtics with Kyrie who is only 25, Smart, Tatum, Brown and their other draft picks are a team that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

This trade may make Celtics slightly worse in the short term and possibly even in the long term but it could make sense because it would save Celtics a lot of money in not having to resign Thomas (Kyrie signed 2 more years with 3rd year player option), Kyrie is younger, bigger (although not a great defender isn't as much of a liability as 5ft 9 IT) and proven (unlike Nets pick) and opens up more minutes for young guys on the wing.

Personally if I were Celtics I'd try and lowball to start but I wouldn't be upset giving this up for Kyrie who is a proven playoff performer that is young enough to grow with the team and helps out a ton financially. I'd prefer giving up Tatum or Brown and one of their future picks instead of Crowder and Nets pick due to Crowder's cheap contract and the upside of the Nets pick which is likely to provide a young big man (things are kinda crowded on the wing already) .