On Tuesday evening, Cleveland Cavaliers team owner Dan Gilbert and newly-appointed general manager Koby Altman pulled the trigger on a deal that sent All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics. In return, the Cavs received Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and a protected first round pick in next year’s Draft (Brooklyn Nets).
During Altman’s introductory press conference in July, Gilbert stated that he expected to see Irving in uniform at the start of this season’s training camp. However, it seems that Uncle Drew, as Irving is known, had a different frame of mind. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Irving informed the Cavs that he would rather not report to camp with them.
“In recent weeks, that idea became unrealistic, as Irving let it be known that he would rather not report to training camp than begin another season with Cleveland, sources told ESPN.”
“The delay, it turns out, was fueled more by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s preference to land a ‘big name guy’ — which Thomas is — and the reality that the Celtics, with president Danny Ainge’s war chest full of assets, always could offer the most compared to any other realistic trade partner, sources told ESPN.”
There were some who thought Kyrie Irving and the Cavs might be able to mend their relationship before the start of the 2017-18 NBA season, but it just wasn’t to be. Now, Irving will have a great opportunity to prove his mettle in Boston — a city that is steeped in basketball tradition.
There is no doubt about it, wearing Celtics green is a distinguished honor. Let’s just see how Irving fares in his new role.