The NBA’s offseason finally saw a major resolution this past week. Kyrie Irving, after a long-rumored trade request, was finally dealt to the Celtics. Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday that the deal could be voided.
The NBA’s wild offseason seemed to finally reach its apex. The top two teams in the Eastern Conference executed a deal that swapped their all-star point guards.
Kyrie Irving was a Boston Celtic. Isaiah Thomas, along with Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and, most notably, the Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round draft pick, were all on its way to Cleveland.
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Then, a Woj-bomb happened.
A hip injury that kept Thomas out of the playoffs could potentially void the NBA offseason’s biggest blockbuster. After a month of speculation, the Irving drama surrounding the Cavaliers seemed to be settled. This news could change that.
The Cavaliers and the Celtics could very well go through with the deal. The fact that there is doubt on Cleveland’s side about Thomas’ future is nothing but unsettling, however.
If this deal, which indirectly involves the Brooklyn Nets, falls through, there could be wide reaching effects on the Eastern Conference and the NBA as a whole.
The Brooklyn Nets still hold quite a bit of power. The Celtics and the Cavaliers both project to be the top two teams in the east regardless of whether or not the trade goes through or not. Boston has a better long-term outlook, though.
That doesn’t ultimately change the way Brooklyn will operate this season. The Nets have no incentive to help the Celtics or Cavaliers, depending on where their pick falls. Brooklyn has no reason to lose either way.
Most Nets fans would probably rather see the Cavaliers hold their first round pick next year. LeBron James is likely to leave town for the second time and leave the franchise rebuilding.
Seeing Cleveland pick for the Nets is an easier pill to swallow than watching the Celtics benefit once more from the Billy King fiasco.