By Ariel Romero | EBC Sports Correspondent
Kyrie Irving’s trade to the Boston Celtics from the Cleveland Cavaliers has been completed following a delay caused by concerns over an injury to Isaiah Thomas.
A joint statement announced Wednesday said the trade agreed earlier this month would finally process, with the Celtics adding Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, a 2018 first round pick via Brooklyn and a 2020 2nd round draft pick via Miami.
Irving, a four-time All-Star, stunned many NBA fans earlier this summer by expressing his desire to seek a switch teams, citing issues, specifically playing alongside ball-dominant teammate LeBron James.
However the final confirmation was put on hold due to concerns over a hip injury that Thomas has battled, which forced him to miss the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Cavs initially sought an additional first-round pick or another young player as insurance against Thomas’s injury. Instead, Boston sent Cleveland two future draft picks.
Thomas insists he is on his way to full recovery and his hip won’t affect his performance.
“There’s never been an indication that I wouldn’t be back, and there’s never been an indication that this is something messing up my career,” Thomas told ESPN on Tuesday. “Maybe I am not going to be back as soon this season as everyone wants me to be, but I’m going to be back, and I’m going to be the same player again. No doctor has told me anything different than that.”
