BOSTON – The Boston Celtics have engaged in talks with Cleveland on seeking a resolution to the Kyrie Irving trade to Boston, according to ESPN.
The two teams discussed the already agreed-upon trade on Tuesday according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnowarski, with the Cavs apparently willing to accept a late first-round or second-round picks.
Thomas indicated that his injury is not believed to be a long-term issue.
“There’s never been an indication that I wouldn’t be back,” he told ESPN. “And there’s never been an indication that this is something messing up my career. Maybe I am not going to be back as soon this season as everyone wants me to be, but I’m going to be back, and I’m going to be the same player again. No doctor has told me anything different than that.”
Boston and Cleveland agreed to a trade that would send Kyrie Irving to Boston in exchange for Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a 2018 unprotected first round pick from Brooklyn.
However, the Cavs began to have reservations about Thomas’ hip after getting him in town for a physical on Saturday, prompting the possibility that the Celtics might need to provide additional assets in order to get the trade completed.
Thomas’ desire to get back on the floor quickly is two-fold.
Boston Celtics
For starters, the 28-year-old guard is one of the more competitive players in the NBA.
And then there’s his contract, which will be up after this season.
The two-time All-Star, if healthy, will be among the top free agents in the summer of 2018 and will likely command a contract along the same lines as the three-year, $100 million deal received this past summer by Toronto’s Kyle Lowry.
Thomas has talked often about having a “Brinks truck” type of deal this summer, but the concerns about his hip have raised concerns about just how much of an asset will Thomas be going forward.
“I haven’t had one doctor tell me that this injury is going to hurt my career,” Thomas said. “Surgery was not the best option in this case. I aggravated it in March when (Minnesota’s) Karl Anthony-Towns fell on me. I kept playing on it, and making it worse … until I couldn’t play anymore last season.”