Cavaliers trade Kyrie Irving to Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, others

CLEVELAND – Kyrie Irving's next cross-over will come against the Cavaliers.

Cleveland's All-Star guard, who asked owner Dan Gilbert to trade him earlier this summer, reportedly was dealt Tuesday night to the Boston Celtics in exchange for star Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and a 2018 first-round draft pick.

Irving reportedly will waive his trade kicker to complete the deal.

Since Irving made his stunning request, the defending Eastern Conference champions have been looking for a trade partner, including talking to the Timberwolves about Andrew Wiggins.

They found the perfect partner in the Celtics, who will now build around Irving and newly signed free agent Gordon Hayward.

"Kyrie is one of the best scorers in the NBA," Celtics president Danny Ainge said. "He has proven that on the biggest stage, the NBA Finals, the last three years. He's been an NBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and a four-time All-Star. For all he's accomplished, we think his best years are ahead of him."

Irving's first regular-season game for Boston will be against Cleveland as the Cavs will host the Celtics on Oct. 17 — a date being circled by fans already.

The Cavs were concerned about getting equivalent value for Irving, who has two years remaining on his contract, but in the 5-foot-9 Thomas they are adding one of the league's most dynamic playmakers.

Thomas averaged 28.9 points last season. He missed most of the East finals because of a hip injury.

Cleveland is also getting Crowder, a solid perimeter defender, and a first-round pick that Boston got from Brooklyn.