Betts shocked, saddened by trade of good friend Isaiah Thomas
Basketball fans were stunned when the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a blockbuster trade Tuesday involving Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas, and among the people caught off-guard by the swap was Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox.
Betts, Thomas' good friend, was informed of the trade while playing video games in the Red Sox clubhouse Tuesday after a 9-1 win over the Cleveland Indians and couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I didn't think it was going to happen," Betts said, according to John Tomase of WEEI.com.
Thomas was traded along with Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Irving, and although their Boston ties are now severed, Betts plans to continue to support his pal.
"We obviously grew through the offseason, me going to the games and whatnot. He's got to do his thing, and I'll be part of the supporting cast. I looked forward to going to his games and seeing him. I'm sure I'll make it to a couple of his games to support him," Betts explained.
Betts won't have to wait long to watch his buddy in his new uniform either. The Cavaliers host the Celtics on Oct. 17.