Introduction
In 2017, Kyrie Irving was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics. This trade shocked many NBA fans, as Kyrie had been a major part of the Cavaliers’ success in recent years, helping lead them to their first championship in 2016. The trade sent shockwaves through the league and raised questions about who came out on top. In this article, we will explore the Kyrie Irving trade and investigate who got the best deal.
Breaking Down the Kyrie Irving Trade: Who Did He Get Traded To?
On August 22, 2017, Kyrie Irving was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick. The Celtics received Kyrie Irving, while the Cavaliers received Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the draft pick.
Investigating the Kyrie Irving Trade: Who Came Out On Top?
To determine who won the Kyrie Irving trade, we must evaluate the assets gained by each team. Kyrie Irving is one of the best point guards in the NBA, averaging 24.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game in the 2017-18 season. Isaiah Thomas, on the other hand, averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game in the same season. While Thomas’ numbers were higher than Irving’s, it should be noted that he was coming off a hip injury at the time of the trade.
Jae Crowder was also a key piece in the trade. At the time of the trade, he was averaging 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. Ante Zizic was a young center who had yet to make his NBA debut. Finally, the Cavaliers received an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick, which they later used to select Collin Sexton.
Analyzing the Winners and Losers of the Kyrie Irving Trade
The Kyrie Irving trade had a significant impact on both the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Let’s take a closer look at how each team fared after the trade.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics were the clear winners of the Kyrie Irving trade. They acquired one of the best point guards in the league, solidifying their position as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. Kyrie Irving’s presence also allowed the Celtics to move on from Isaiah Thomas, who had become a distraction in the locker room. Furthermore, the addition of Jae Crowder gave the Celtics a much-needed defensive boost.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers did not fare as well in the Kyrie Irving trade. They lost one of the best players in the league and failed to acquire any star-caliber talent in return. While Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder were solid players, neither was able to fill the void left by Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers also failed to capitalize on the unprotected first-round pick, as Collin Sexton has yet to reach his full potential.
What Was Gained in the Kyrie Irving Trade?
The Kyrie Irving trade resulted in several changes for both teams. Let’s take a look at the players acquired by each team in the trade.
Players Acquired by the Boston Celtics
The Celtics received Kyrie Irving, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick in the trade. Kyrie Irving was the centerpiece of the trade and has since become the leader of the Celtics. Jae Crowder provided much-needed defense and Ante Zizic was a promising young center. The Celtics also received an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick, which they later used to select Robert Williams III.
Players Acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers received Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick in the trade. Isaiah Thomas was the focal point of the trade, but his tenure in Cleveland was short-lived. Jae Crowder provided some much-needed defense, while Ante Zizic was a promising young center. The Cavaliers also received an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick, which they later used to select Collin Sexton.
Who Got the Best of the Kyrie Irving Trade?
Ultimately, the Kyrie Irving trade benefited the Boston Celtics more than the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving was the centerpiece of the trade and has since become the leader of the Celtics. The addition of Jae Crowder provided the Celtics with a much-needed defensive boost, while the unprotected first-round pick allowed the Celtics to select Robert Williams III. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on the trade, as none of the players acquired were able to replace Kyrie Irving’s production.
Examining the Impact of the Kyrie Irving Trade: Where Will He End Up?
Since the Kyrie Irving trade, the Celtics have become one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. Kyrie Irving has become the leader of the team and has led the Celtics to the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. As for the Cavaliers, they are still struggling to recover from the Kyrie Irving trade. They have failed to make the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
It remains to be seen where Kyrie Irving will end up next. Rumors have swirled that he may be traded again this offseason, with the Brooklyn Nets reportedly being interested in acquiring him. If Kyrie Irving does get traded, it could have a huge impact on the NBA landscape.
Conclusion
The Kyrie Irving trade in 2017 had a major impact on both the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics came out on top, as they acquired one of the best point guards in the league and solidified their position as one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on the trade, as none of the players acquired were able to replace Kyrie Irving’s production. It remains to be seen where Kyrie Irving will end up next, but it is clear that the Kyrie Irving trade has changed the course of the NBA.
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