The Cleveland Cavaliers were well aware of the hip injury suffered by Isaiah Thomas in their 2017 playoff series. After the season Thomas met with Celtics doctor’s who determined they would forgo surgery and go with rest and rehab in an effort to get him ready for the 22017/2018 season. When the Cavaliers agreed to take back Thomas in the Kyrie Irving deal they knew Thomas would most likely miss the start of the season but not miss significant time based on the info from the Celtics doctors. After conducting a physical examination on Thomas in Cleveland this past Friday, there is now big concern Thomas may indeed need surgery after all. If surgery is required Thomas could miss a large chunk of next season. The Cavs are reportedly talking with Boston in an effort to try and pry another asset from the Celtics due to the severity of the hip injury. Cleveland could veto the deal due to a failed physical if they so choose. The problem with vetoing the deal is the Cavaliers do not want to lose forward Jae Crowder or the coveted unprotected 2018 1st round draft pick which could very well be in the top five. The other issue is bringing back a disgruntled Irving who already informed the team before the trade that he would not report for training camp. The Cavs could turn around and trade him to another team. The issue there is other teams would then know they are desperate to move him and the quality return would be nowhere near what Boston has given them.

Boston will certainly take a hard stance and resist offering anything more than they have already given Cleveland. If the deal falls apart the Celtics will be left with an injured point guard who now is very unhappy with the organization. The Celtics desperately want Irving as they feel they have a great chance of signing him long term. Their team as constructed before the trade even after adding free agent Gordon Hayward is not good enough to get by the Cavaliers. There will have to be a compromise from both sides. If Cleveland asks for another player there is almost no chance of that happening. The most likely scenario could involve Boston’s own 2018 1st round draft pick. While this would not help the Cavaliers this coming season, it would give them three first round picks in next year’s draft which could be used to acquire another player either before or during next season. The deadline to complete the deal is this coming Thursday.