The Kyrie Irving trade to Boston took a lot longer than expected. On August 22, Boston and Cleveland agreed to a deal that had the Cavs sending Irving to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round pick. However, due to concerns from the Cavs with Thomas’ hip, the deal was not completed until August 30 when Boston agreed to add a 2020 second-round pick.
Irving spent six seasons in Cleveland. During that time, Irving was a 4x All-Star, and won a title in Cleveland. However, Irving wanted out of Cleveland, and desired a bigger role elsewhere.
Cavs’ Iman Shumpert still has love for Irving. When asked if he had any ill will toward Irving, Shumpert told TMZ Sports the following:
“Nah, that’s my brother. It’s a business dog, it’s all a business. I used to do the super loyalty. It’s business at the end of the day, and you can’t get mad when things don’t go how you want it to go because it’s in your heart. It’s just a business.”
Shumpert had this message for Irving and the Celtics:
“I know how Kyrie play. I know we got to beat them, that’s it. I know all his moves,” Shumpert said.
The Cavaliers and Celtics will make for a great rivalry. Both teams will probably be the top two teams in the East, which means they probably will see each other in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The two teams face off in the first game of the NBA regular season on October 17. Can’t wait!
