Report: Cavs shopping 2018 1st-rounder from Irving trade
After some delay, the blockbuster trade is finally complete, but that doesn't mean the Cleveland Cavaliers are done dealing.
The club shipped disgruntled point guard Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick, plus an extra 2020 second-round pick after expressing concerns over Thomas' hip injury.
But rather than relishing in all their newfound assets, the Cavaliers have already fielded several calls about a potential swap involving the Nets pick, according to cleveland.com's Joe Vardon.
Cleveland may part with the pick - which could materialize into a high lottery selection next June - before February's trade deadline for a package that can make the club immediately better in its bid to make its fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals.
Alternatively, new general manager Koby Altman could wait for the season to play out to see whether the 32-year-old superstar stays or takes his talents elsewhere. James can opt out of his contract following 2017-18, and if he departs, that would almost certainly trigger a rebuild in his hometown.
The last time that happened, the Cavaliers selected Irving first overall and were expected to build around the dynamic scorer and playmaker. That plan was scrapped when James returned in 2014 after leading the Miami Heat to two titles, retaking the reins in Ohio. He and Irving went on to bring Cleveland its first-ever NBA championship in 2016, and now it's entirely possible neither of them will be around two years later.
In the event that James decides to move on, the Cavaliers have collected pieces that will help them start over, including their own 2018 first-round pick, trade exceptions, and second-rounders.
The team appears ready to go whichever way James dictates.