The Cleveland Cavaliers are fielding calls for the 2018 first-round pick for the Brooklyn Nets acquired from the Boston Celtics in the trade of Kyrie Irving, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
The Celtics garnered the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft thanks to a first-round pick acquired from the Nets and there’s a solid potential the 2018 pick could be in the top five for next year’s draft. Vardon speculates the Nets’ first-round pick could be used for a mega-trade at some point during the season or next offseason. The Cavaliers also still own their first-round pick for next year’s draft, as well as trade exceptions and second-round picks.
Vardon also reported that newly acquired point guard Isaiah Thomas will not “rush it” in his return from the hip injury that cost him most of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers are still optimistic that Thomas will be ready to go to open next season, though. Thomas is expected to rehabilitate with Dr. James Rosneck, a renowned hip doctor at the Cleveland Clinic.
Thomas was reportedly upset to be traded from the Celtics but is fully committed to playing for the Cavaliers, per Vardon, as he heads into his final season before hitting unrestricted free agency. Thomas was third in the NBA with 28.9 points per game last season. He’s also dealing with a torn labrum along with his hip injury.
The Cavaliers also acquired Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a second-round pick from the Miami Heat in the 2020 draft in exchange for Irving.
The Celtics garnered the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft thanks to a first-round pick acquired from the Nets and there’s a solid potential the 2018 pick could be in the top five for next year’s draft. Vardon speculates the Nets’ first-round pick could be used for a mega-trade at some point during the season or next offseason. The Cavaliers also still own their first-round pick for next year’s draft, as well as trade exceptions and second-round picks.
Vardon also reported that newly acquired point guard Isaiah Thomas will not “rush it” in his return from the hip injury that cost him most of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers are still optimistic that Thomas will be ready to go to open next season, though. Thomas is expected to rehabilitate with Dr. James Rosneck, a renowned hip doctor at the Cleveland Clinic.
Thomas was reportedly upset to be traded from the Celtics but is fully committed to playing for the Cavaliers, per Vardon, as he heads into his final season before hitting unrestricted free agency. Thomas was third in the NBA with 28.9 points per game last season. He’s also dealing with a torn labrum along with his hip injury.
The Cavaliers also acquired Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a second-round pick from the Miami Heat in the 2020 draft in exchange for Irving.