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    Monday, May 06, 2024

    Report: Cavaliers to ask Celtics for more compensation in Kyrie Irving trade

    The Cleveland Cavaliers, who received former Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, right, in a blockbuster trade this week which brought superstar Kyrie Irving to Boston, are still reviewing Thomas' health, according to a source. (Charles Krupa/AP File Photo)

    Concerned with the condition of point guard Isaiah Thomas’ hip and the timetable for his return to action, the Cavaliers will ask the Boston Celtics for an additional asset before agreeing to complete their blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday.

    The Celtics traded two-time All-Star Thomas, small forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and Brooklyn’s first-round pick in 2018 to the Cavs for four-time All-Star Irving on Tuesday. Wojnarowski reported late Friday night that the Cavs might void the deal after seeing the results of the physical Thomas had undergone hours earlier in Cleveland.

    Irving was scheduled to take his physical in Boston on Saturday, according to Wojnarowski.

    The Cavs are considering their options and perhaps weighing the likelihood that they will not receive as great a return, especially since the unprotected draft pick could be No. 1 overall, if they seek another trade partner.

    Irving asked Cavs owner Dan Gilbert to trade him on July 7, seeking to escape the shadow of four-time league MVP LeBron James and be the focal point of another team. The Cavs would seemingly want to wrap up an Irving trade before they hold media day on Sept. 25 and begin practice the next day.

    Boston is stocked with future first- and second-round draft picks, its own as well as possible access to protected first-round selections from the Los Angeles Lakers (2018), LA Clippers (2019) and Memphis Grizzlies (2019), Wojnarowski reported.

    According to Jeff Zilllgitt of USA Today, Thomas tore the labrum in his right hip March 15 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He re-aggravated it during Game 6 of the conference semifinals against the Washington Wizards and missed the final three games of the conference finals against the Cavaliers because of it.

    Thomas did not undergo surgery, but Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge told Boston media Tuesday night that Thomas could miss the start of the season. Ainge admitted Thomas’ injury played “some” part in the trade decision. Thomas, 28, is also in the final year of his contract and is seeking a max deal in free agency next summer.

    Wojnarowski reported Saturday that Thomas has yet to resume running.

    “There’s going to be probably a little bit of a delay for Isaiah as he starts the season this year,” Ainge said of Thomas’ injury during a conference call, posted on Celtics.com. “But I think Isaiah should be fine and healthy as the season goes along.”

    According to ESPN, all players involved in the trade must undergo physicals by 10 a.m. Wednesday and the deadline to pass is 10 a.m. Thursday, although the Cavs and Celtics could agree to an extension.

    “It’s a very sensitive situation,” a source involved in the process told ESPN late Friday night.

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