The Cavs and Celtics have until 10 a.m. tomorrow for point guards Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas to pass their physicals. Yesterday, Thomas had his say about the status of his health but questions remain as to whether or not Cleveland will try to extract more from Boston in the trade for him.
Isaiah Thomas, the 5-9 juggernaut who missed the final three games of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavs last season because of a torn labrum, completed his physical in Cleveland Friday, and since team sources have said they’re reviewing their options on completing the trade.
The Cavs can accept the trade as it was proposed, ask Boston for additional compensation, or void the trade.
Multiple sources told cleveland.com that as of Tuesday afternoon, Cleveland hadn’t asked the Celtics for anything extra. Wojnarowski reports the two sides began to engage each other on a “solution.”
Wojnarowski also reported the Cavs no longer sought an additional player, and another draft pick would satisfy Cleveland. But, again, multiple sources told cleveland.com the Cavs never asked for another player, such as Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum.The Cavs have said nothing publicly about Thomas’ hip, other than to confirm there were concerns. Celtics president Danny Ainge said last week that he thought Thomas would not be ready to start the season but would eventually be able to play this year.
Thomas status for this season matters for all sorts of reasons, including his contract status. He’ll be a free agent next summer and will be looking for a huge payday. The Cavs, meanwhile, are looking for another Finals berth.
“I don’t know what [Cleveland] is doing,” Thomas told ESPN. “It’s out of my control. I just want to talk about what I can control, and I know that this (hip) won’t be a problem into the future.”
Thomas refuted the rumors that he should’ve had surgery to repair his injured hip.
“I haven’t had one doctor tell me that this injury is going to hurt my career,” Thomas said. “Surgery was not the best option in this case. I aggravated it in March when [Minnesota’s] Karl-Anthony Towns fell on me. I kept playing on it, and making it worse — until I couldn’t play anymore last season.
“I am not damaged,” Thomas said. “I’ll be back, and I’ll be the same player..