Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

The Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round pick is moving to Cleveland

By Andrew Hughes

BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics in the second half during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics in the second half during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 19: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics in the second half during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 19: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics in the second half during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

The NBA had one more ace up its sleeve for this wild offseason. After a month of speculation regarding Kyrie Irving’s future, the point guard was finally traded. The superstar is on the move to Boston. The Cavaliers acquired Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick.

The Cleveland Cavaliers finally pulled the trigger on a Kyrie Irving trade. Cleveland did what it set out to do in a potential Irving trade. The team was able to acquire a top-20 point guard in Isaiah Thomas, a defensive minded wing in Jae Crowder and a solid building block in Ante Zizic.

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Cleveland also acquired a potential future star by acquiring the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick. While the Nets don’t plan on being in the lottery again, ESPN projects the team to win just 26 games.

If ESPN is correct, that means the Cavaliers will add a lottery pick to a squad that is still the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title. With LeBron James potentially leaving, that is nothing but good news.

Nets fans will likely breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Boston will not be selecting for them next June. The Celtics already have added Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to their contending core. The Celtics have won at leas 48 games the past two seasons. The Nets have won 41 games combined the past two years.

This deal means the Nets could get used to seeing Irving twice a year at the Barclays Center. Fans around the NBA could also see the Celtics-Lakers rivalry return to prominence if James does indeed bolt Cleveland for the Lakers next summer.