In late August, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics came together for one of the biggest trades of the 2017 NBA offseason. The Cavs, winners of last season’s Eastern Conference crown, sent four-time All-Star Kyrie Irving to Beantown. In return, the Celtics gave up a pair of future Draft picks, as well as several talented players, including Isaiah Thomas (also an All-Star), Jae Crowder, and Ante Zizic.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Thomas, now 28 years of age, revealed that news of his trade came as a shock, saying: “What the hell happened?”
“None of it made any sense,” Thomas says. “It still doesn’t make any sense. I’m still asking, ‘What the hell happened?’ It’s a trade you make in NBA 2K. It’s not a trade you make in real life.”
As most hoops fans know, Thomas played a huge role in Boston’s recent success. In his 76 games played for the C’s last season, the former Washington Husky standout posted some of the best statistical numbers of his career, averaging a career-high 28.9 points on 46 percent shooting from the field (career-high), 5.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and just under one steal (.9) in 33.8 minutes per outing. Now, however, the Celtics will have to press on without their leading scorer.
“Boston is going to be good,” Thomas predicts. “They’ve got really good players and a great coach. But it takes more than talent. They lost a lot of heart and soul.”
Thomas is still dealing with a hip injury, which could keep him sidelined until January. However, once the 5-9 dynamo is cleared for in-game action, there is no doubt that he’ll be looking to make an immediate impact.
The Cavs and Celtics, two familiar foes, are slated to meet in the first game of the regular season. Although Thomas won’t be playing, it will be Irving’s first appearance inside The Q since being traded. How will Cleveland fans react? Only time will tell.