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Both teams have have officially announced the deal, but it seems like the Cavaliers and Celtics’ trade may not be done after all.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Isaiah Thomas underwent a physical in Cleveland on Friday and the Cavs are now “weighing options” in regards to competing the deal. Wojnaroswki, per a source, described the situation as a “sensitive situation.” As he notes, the deal could be voided:
Sources: After Isaiah Thomas underwent physical today, Cavs still evaluating injured hip and weighing options w/ completion of Irving deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
Thomas traveled to Cleveland, took exam and flew back out of town, sources said. All players must pass physical, or a deal can be voided.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
As one source involved in the process involving Thomas' medical clearance told ESPN late Friday night, "It's a very sensitive situation."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 26, 2017
As part of his physical, Thomas met with a hip specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.
This reporting would seem to indicate that Thomas’ hip isn’t healthy, or at least healthy enough where the Cavs feel comfortable have the deal officially go through. Thomas’ hip injury caused him to miss the last three games of the Eastern Conference Finals. Prior to the deal, the Celtics were unsure if Thomas would be ready for training camp. And his conference call discussing the deal, Celtics GM Danny Ainge said Thomas’ hip factored into the trade.
"Some,” Ainge said. per CBS. “There's gonna be probably a little bit of a delay for Isaiah as he starts the season this year, but I think that Isaiah should be fine and healthy as the season goes along.”
If the deal is voided, things will likely get awkward for both teams. For the Cavs, having to take Irving back would mean possibly having to try and reconcile after dealing him. Additionally, Irving reportedly didn’t want to report to Cavs’ training camp if he hadn’t been traded. A voided traded could also force Cleveland to look elsewhere for a trade partner.
Maybe this is nothing. Maybe the two teams can still make a deal if the Cavs have concerns with Thomas’ hip. But a deal that was thought to be done seems to have been delated.