Cavs weigh trade options after Thomas’s exam

The Cleveland Cavaliers are weighing their options to complete the blockbuster deal they struck to send Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics following an examination of Isaiah Thomas’ right hip at the Cleveland Clinic Friday, according to ESPN.

In a series of tweets, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said the Cavs were still evaluating Thomas’ injured right hip, and quoted a “source involved in the process involving Thomas’ medical clearance” as saying it’s a “very sensitive situation.”

All players must pass physicals or a trade can be voided. On Tuesday, the Cavs agreed to ship four-time All-Star Irving to the Celtics for Thomas, a two-time All-Star, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets’ No. 1 pick.

The draft pick is such a coveted piece for the Cavs – a potential lottery pick – that it is hard to imagine they would back out of the trade altogether. An attempt to renegotiate may be more likely. Thomas will be a free agent after this season.

But things appear nonetheless sticky for new GM Koby Altman and the Cavs’ organization, which had endured a rough offseason only to have come through with a seemingly strong return on the trade.

LeBron James, who can be a free agent next season, is watching to see how the new front office performs this year before he weighs his options.

Irving, of course, asked out of Cleveland and was granted his wish through this trade.

Thomas was forced out of the final three games in the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavs because of a torn labrum in his right hip. He elected not to have surgery and said he’d be ready for training camp prior to the trade, but after the deal Boston president Danny Ainge speculated that Thomas might not be able to start the season on time.

Thomas apparently told Hall of Fame point guard Isiah Thomas (no relation) that he was emotionally wounded by the trade to Cleveland, and has said nothing publicly about being traded to the Cavs and playing with James.

Irving has not publicly commented on the trade, either, and James has not publicly welcomed Thomas to the team. r "EWBODF 0IJP .FEJB 5/4