Report: Thomas' hip injury tempered LeBron, Lue's excitement about trade

Isaiah Thomas is adamant he's not damaged goods, although two key figures on his new team are apparently still wary of his long-term health.

When the Cleveland Cavaliers were made aware that Thomas could miss a significant portion of the 2017-18 season as he recovers from an injured hip, LeBron James and head coach Tyronn Lue were less excited about the trade to bring him in, sources told The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor.

Both James and Lue were then told by management that Thomas and forward Jae Crowder were being acquired in an effort to help Cleveland provide more of a challenge to the reigning champion Golden State Warriors.

The Cavaliers and Celtics eventually agreed on further compensation - a 2020 second-round pick - to make the deal go through.

Thomas said there's the possibility he may not return to action as soon as he'd like, but when he does, he'll be the same player he's always been and an asset to the Cavaliers, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

He elected not to go under the knife to repair when he was first injured in March, and then worsened during the Eastern Conference finals.

Along with Thomas, Crowder, and the second rounder, Cleveland also received the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 unprotected first-round pick, and 20-year-old center Ante Zizic for Kyrie Irving.