BOSTON – The Boston Celtics avoided their blockbuster trade with Cleveland being voided by sending the Cavs a future second-round pick as part of the trade package to acquire Kyrie Irving.
The package to Cleveland now includes a 2020 second-round pick (from Miami) along with the already agreed-upon trade pieces which includes Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a 2018 unprotected Brooklyn first round pick.
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The Cavaliers had until 10 a.m. Thursday morning to void the deal based upon Thomas’ physical which was conducted last Saturday.
Boston told the Cavs prior to them agreeing to the trade on Aug. 22 that Thomas’s hip injury suffered last season might result in his start to the season being delayed.
Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, reiterated that message on a conference call with reporters after the deal became official pending physicals.
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After Cleveland’s doctors had a look at Thomas up-close, they reportedly believed the two-time all-star’s injury might sideline him for an extended period of time.
That it is when the rumors of Cleveland asking for additional compensation from Boston began to make the rounds, with the Cavs reportedly wanting a late first-round pick or possibly some form of second-round compensation to complete the deal.
Meanwhile, the Celtics felt acquiescing to Cleveland’s desire to have the 2018 unprotected Brooklyn pick (a likely top-5 pick in a top-heavy draft) as part of the Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett trade in 2013, would be enough to satisfy the Cavs.
Cleveland indicated what it was seeking as additional compensation earlier this week, but league sources told CSNNE.com that no additional compensation was agreed upon at that time.
Ultimately, the Celtics included the second-round pick to secure the 25-year-old Irving, a four-time all-star who ranks among the top guards in the NBA.