Durant on Kyrie Irving: ‘It’s a perfect system for him in Boston’

Kyrie Irving wanted and finally received the trade he requested from Cleveland this week. Irving was sent to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round pick.

Kevin Durant, who made a controversial exit from Oklahoma City to Golden State in 2016, believes Irving to Boston is a good fit:

“It’s a perfect system for him in Boston; it’s a perfect fit. Because he’s a 6-foot-3 Isaiah Thomas, basically, and Isaiah just thrived in that system, and then he got Gordon Hayward and Al Horford, who are gonna be able to make plays for him, too,” Durant told “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” “It’s gonna be pretty sweet. I think it was a great deal. But I just think Kyrie just wanted a place where he can focus on just playing basketball and not worrying about the other drama that comes with.”

I do believe Boston is a good fit for Irving, and I do believe it’s an upgrade over Thomas. However, is it good enough to beat Cleveland? I would say not yet. As long as LeBron James is around in Cleveland, it’s going to be difficult to defeat the Cavaliers in a seven game series, but maybe Danny Ainge has another move up his sleeves.