Cavs: Thomas’s physical could sink blockbuster trade

CLEVELAND— Just when it appeared the Cavaliers’ chaotic summer had calmed, there’s a flare-up.

That blockbuster deal between Cleveland and Boston is stuck.

The Cavaliers have some concerns about guard Isaiah Thomas’s health and are doing a “deep and thorough” review of the deal that brought him over from the Celtics, two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the Cavaliers rocked the NBA by honouring all-star guard Kyrie Irving’s trade request and dealing him to the Celtics — one of their biggest rivals — for Thomas and a lucrative package that included an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick.

The two people said the trade has not been completed and the Cavs are continuing to do a medical evaluation on Thomas, who injured his right hip last season and had to drop out of the Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team is not publicly discussing its plans.

After Irving demanded to be traded in July, the Cavaliers entertained numerous offers before striking a deal with Boston. In exchange for Irving, the Celtics agreed to send Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, centre Ante Zizic and the first-round pick they acquired from the Brooklyn Nets to Cleveland.

ESPN reported Friday night that the Cavaliers are “considering possible ramifications” after Thomas took his physical.

According to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, a trade can be voided if a player fails his physical.

The Cavaliers and Celtics have until Wednesday to finalize the trade, pending the completion of physicals. It’s common practice for teams to perform comprehensive medical exams on players with prior medical issues, and the Cavs were well aware of Thomas’s history.

If Cleveland isn’t satisfied with its findings on Thomas, the club could scrap the trade. That seems unlikely, however, because the three-time defending conference champions were determined to deal Irving before training camp, and the Cavaliers coveted a high draft pick they can use to acquire another star next season or select a top-tier talent in the draft.