Four-time All Star and 2016 NBA champion Kyrie Irving has been acquired by the Boston Celtics from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for guard Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, centre Ante Zizic and the rights to the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick.
The team made it official, issuing a media statement. “Kyrie is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He has proven that on the biggest stage, the NBA Finals, the last three years,” said Celtics president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge. “He’s been an NBA Champion, an Olympic gold medallist, and a four-time All-Star. For all he’s accomplished, we think his best years are ahead of him.”
“Isaiah and Jae have been a huge part of our success,” said Celtics co-owner and governing partner Wyc Grousbeck. “Isaiah’s playoff performance under very difficult circumstances will live on in history, and we wish them all the best.”
Selected by Cleveland with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old Irving has posted career averages of 21.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.32 steals and 34.2 minutes in 381 games (all starts) throughout six seasons with the Cavaliers. The 6-3 guard has registered a scoring average north of 20.0 points in four of his six NBA seasons, including a career-high 25.2 points in 2016-17.
Irving played a vital role in helping Cleveland capture its first NBA title last year.
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