People are describing the Kyrie Irving to Boston trade as shocking. But it was indicative of how desperately Cleveland needed to trade Kyrie and get another All-star in return to lessen the fan feedback they were sure to receive for letting a Top 5 guard force a trade coming off three straight NBA Finals appearances.
Bringing in Isaiah Thomas and a few other starters, plus grabbing a 2018 first-round pick which could land Cleveland a blue chip superstar prospect, is a good place to begin.
It wasnt the only home run cut new Cleveland GM Koby Altman took during this crazy and unexpected process. According to Sporting News, the Cavs reached out to their arch-rival, the Golden State Warriors, about acquiring shooting guard Klay Thompson in exchange for Irving.
Sporting News on Twitter
The Cavs tried to make a deal with the Warriors involving Kyrie Irving, but Golden State wasn’t having it. https://t.co/KFXzRJ6d1m
The Warriors, who have better chemistry than Wu-Tang on “Protect Ya Neck“, were uninterested.
The attempt does, however, show the competence, guts, intelligence and insight of Clevelands new GM. He understood the moment and he understood that any package in which they trade Irving had to be potentially dynamic and immediately gratifying.
Why not try and get one half of the Splash Brothers?
That would have been a great way to break up the Warriors dynasty without waiting for contracts to expire or for the run to subside.
