If you can’t beat em… swap players?
What is Boston media saying about the trade? I know the national folks are calling it a win-win, but seems like Boston gave up too much for someone who can walk in 2 years and has said previously that he wants to play for the Knicks. I realize Thomas can walk after this coming season, but giving up Brooklyn’s 1st rounder next year seemed like too much.
Irving is a huge upgrade on Thomas. Thomas’ stats are great but I couldn’t see the Celtics getting any further than they did last season with him as their point guard. It does seem like there’s a lot of downside risk in the deal for the Celtics though with Irving being free in 2 years and losing the 1st round pick.
Incidentally, I love how people say “Marcus Smart” in a Boston accent.
Boston media is almost obligated to love it because the knock on Ainge is that he’s too stingy with his picks. Of course now that he finally moves on one I’m hearing some people say it’s too much. Shocking!
Picks are picks, hypothetically great in theory but no guarantees. Can you find someone better than Kyrie in the draft? Possibly but that’s asking a lot. They’ve already used two of their picks on Brown and Tatum and kept them both, so a lot will remain to be seen before this trade can be properly evaluated. One thing that’s taken off their hands is the IT max contract issue. That was going to rear is head sooner than later and it’s clear the Celtics didn’t want to give him max money. Kyrie is a no brainer max guy. The Knicks piece I haven’t really read too much on, but two years is enough time for a Flat Earther to find love for a racist city, no???
you likely arent going to get a better player than Kyrie in the draft, but a possible star & thomas is a lot for a player who is a bit of a diva demanding a trade? Cleveland wins this trade, but its not highway robbery.
I’m going to miss Kelly, that game 7 performance against Washington was incredible.
Totally agree. Ainge overpayed, and it’s debatable he even had to based on Cleveland having no leverage. Fortunately he was in a position to do so as they still have some solid picks left in the holster and did make their team younger overall. They should at least contend for the East again this year and next, but I feel like the real target is a few years out when Brown/Tatum have developed some, Kyrie/Hayward are in their primes and maybe another trade or two have been worked in. If you’re keeping track at home this would ideally be when LeBron has finally slowed down and Golden State’s monopoly has run out.