Kyrie Irving to Boston: A changing of the guard in the east?

Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891

Cavs Nation
You've heard time and time again this summer that this NBA offseason has been nothing short of insane. It truly has been more exciting than last season's abysmal regular season and much of the postseason as well. And it just got more wild. Kyrie Irving is headed to Boston in an absolute blockbuster of a deal.

Kyrie is off to Boston in exchange for for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a 2018 first round draft pick from the Brooklyn Nets. Kyrie getting his wish in being moved isn't all that shocking. As more and more information came out this summer it became apparent that the relationship between LeBron James and Kyrie had broken down to the point of no return. Kyrie was forcing his way out of Ohio, the question was just where would he end up?

And that is what is so shocking about this deal. Kyrie is headed to the Cavs top competition. Boston was the number one overall seed last season and seems to be the only team that can challenge Cleveland in the east. And this deal should allow them to do more than simply put up a fight against a Cleveland franchise that has been to three straight NBA finals.

Boston Globe
From Cleveland's point of view they lost an absolute superstar. Isaiah Thomas is a good player, Jae Crowder gives them a defensive presence that they desperately needed and Zizic gives them size. The most important part of that deal for Cleveland is the first round pick which should give them a selection in the top five of what is projected to be a loaded draft class. Cleveland will have their pick of what they hope will be a future star in next June's draft and that draft pick will be their strongest piece of ammunition in trying to keep LeBron in Cleveland once July 1st, 2018 hits. The Cavs received a solid haul for the prized point guard from Duke, but stars win championships in this league.

But the big question remains, does this deal put Boston over Cleveland? In short, it could. I really like this move for the Celtics. Danny Ainge has been known to hoard his assets instead of trying to improve the team. And here he made the bold move that Boston needed to do. Kyrie, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford along with a few other pieces make Boston more than formidable.

Cleveland should still be considered the favorite in the East based on their success and the fact that they have the best player on the planet, but Boston is more than just a team that can give the Cavs a series. They are now a team that can legitimately make a run at the NBA finals.

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