If both teams mutually agree to extend the deadline, they can. Once the sides re-engage, Cavaliers officials may try to make the case that Boston undersold them on the scope of the Thomas injury, and more specifically, how soon Thomas could be prepared to play this season, league sources said. The sides did discuss and share information on Thomas’s injury, sources said.
More on Isaiah Thomas Injury
After Cleveland's physical examination of Isaiah Thomas' injured hip raised concern about the timeline for his return this season, Cavaliers officials are planning to seek an additional trade asset before finalizing a deal to send four-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics, league sources told ESPN. Without revisions to the original trade agreement, the Cavaliers could threaten to veto the trade, league sources said.
The Cavaliers' stance could trigger a standoff between Cleveland and Boston officials, forcing both organizations to weigh the consequences of letting blockbuster trade implode. The deadline to report and submit to a physical for the players involved in the trade is 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and the deadline to pass the physical is 10 a.m. on Thursday, per league rules.
A Cavs source said the two sides need to reach a conclusion by Wednesday evening or mutually agree to extend the deadline. Though the Cavs could void the trade based on Thomas' injury, sources still expect a deal to get done.
Because Thomas is in the final year of his contract -- which coincides with LeBron James' opt-out next summer -- Cleveland has an urgency to get Thomas on the court this year. All along, Boston has believed it was clear in its assessment of Thomas' physical status and that information was communicated to the Cavaliers in the conversations prior to Tuesday's trade, league sources said. In a telephone conference call with reporters after the trade was announced, Celtics GM Danny Ainge admitted that Thomas' physical condition played "some" role in trading Thomas to Cleveland as part of the Irving package.
Chris Mannix: Boston believes it was completely transparent w/Cleveland on IT's hip injury, per sources. Expect Celtics to strongly resist any sweetener.
The Cavaliers are indeed pausing to consider a "concern that we have" regarding Isaiah Thomas' right hip, a source told cleveland.com, while Kyrie Irving is undergoing his physical today in Boston. Two sources with knowledge of the Cavs' thinking said the team is conducting a "very deep and thorough review process" on Thomas, whom Cleveland acquired Tuesday in a blockbuster trade along with Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn No. 1 pick for Irving.
In the aftermath of issues resulting from Isaiah Thomas' physical examination on Friday, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are planning a telephone call for Saturday to discuss the status of the teams' blockbuster trade, league sources told ESPN. The proposed deal sending Cleveland's four-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to the Celtics for Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and a 2018 first-round pick via Brooklyn has been thrust into uncertainty with medical questions surrounding Thomas' injured hip, league sources told ESPN.
It is possible that Cleveland could request further compensation from Boston before it'll approve the trade, league sources said. Cleveland has until Thursday to make a final decision on approving the trade, sources said. Cleveland can veto the deal based on a failed physical, sending players back to their respective teams. Thomas took the exam in Cleveland on Friday before flying back home to the West Coast, league sources said. "It's very sensitive situation," one source involved in the process told ESPN.
Irving, who had requested a trade from Cleveland, is set to take his physical with the Celtics on Saturday, league sources said. Thomas has been rehabilitating a hip injury that ended his season in the Eastern Conference Finals, and sources have told ESPN that the All-Star guard has yet to begin a regimen of running this offseason.
Kyle Draper: This #Cavs #Celtics situation is wild. My guess. #Celtics doctors said IT does NOT need surgery. #Cavs doctors feel otherwise.
Two people with knowledge of the situation say the Cleveland Cavaliers are doing a "deep and thorough" review of their blockbuster trade that sent All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the team is not publicly discussing its plans.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are concerned about the health of point guard Isaiah Thomas’ right hip, according to ESPN, jeopardizing the blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics that sent Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and a first-round pick to the Cavaliers for point guard Kyrie Irving. Thomas took a physical in Cleveland on Friday, and the results have given the Cavs pause on proceeding with the deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Thomas traveled to Cleveland, took exam and flew back out of town, sources said. All players must pass physical, or a deal can be voided.
Isaiah Thomas has seven days to report to the Cavs, whose highly regarded medical staff will be waiting to examine Thomas, who also will visit a renowned hip specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. Celtics president Danny Ainge told reporters that Thomas' hip injury, which caused him to miss the final three games of the Eastern Conference finals after having played on a torn labrum, would mean "probably a little bit of delay" as to when the All-Star point guard will be ready to suit up for the 2017-18 season.
Sirius XM NBA: Kevin McHale thinks it is "scary" that Isaiah Thomas hasn't been cleared for basketball activities yet- McHale on IT hip injury
Adrian Wojnarowski: Boston has believed rest + rehab would return Thomas' hip to a full recovery. Cavs plan to monitor closely, anxious to give him physical.
Jeff Goodman: There was significant concern from Celtics about Isaiah Thomas' hip, source told ESPN. Turning 29, game is built on speed.
Isaiah Thomas will undergo additional testing prior to the start of training camp, which as you might expect has elevated the concern level among Celtics Nation. But Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, told CSNNE.com that the tests have more to do with re-affirming that Thomas remains on a good track health-wise, than any added concern for the two-time All-Star’s health.
Boston eventually lost the series in five games, with Thomas unable to play due to the hip injury in the last three. Ainge said earlier that Thomas’ injury would not require surgery. "There's nothing else, other than what Brad [Stevens] said," Ainge told CSNNE.com.
Take Boston’s Brad Stevens, who told Chris Mannix on The Vertical Podcast that tests in a couple of weeks will show if Thomas is ready for camp. “He has another follow-up and another scan in the early part of September. Obviously, it’s been a lot of appropriate rest, a lot of rehab. There have been some good strides here certainly in the last month or few weeks, but we’re not going to know that until after that early September timeframe.”
"That’s the plan, yeah," he said. "I should be ready by camp, but I’m getting back in the gym shooting and being able to work out in the weight room and get my cardio back, because I’ve been down for two and a half months since the season ended. It’s getting there though. This week has been great progress for me."
Thomas said he's been just resting since his injured hip forced him out of the Eastern Conference Finals in May, but that he recently got back in the gym to start getting back into shape. "The hip is great," Thomas told the Herald on Saturday during his annual basketball clinic at BU, where he was hosting more than 400 campers. "It’s going well. Rehabbing it, but it’s going well. It’s a real slow rehab process, but it’s getting better and that’s what it’s all about."
"The decision was to sit and rest, and get my legs stronger, get my muscle back working again," Thomas said. "We're just going to try to get to 100 percent as quick as possible. "I’ve been resting. That was the gameplan when my season was over. To rest and stay off it as much as possible to see how it reacts. It’s reacted well, it’s just going to take some time."
Hip surgery has been ruled out for Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said on Wednesday.
Ainge said that Thomas, who severely aggravated an injury to his right hip during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, has resumed light on-court work and has been ramping up his cardiovascular training off the court. “Isaiah is making good progress,” Ainge said. “He’s out on the court; he’s shooting. He’s full-speed ahead on the stationary bike and working in the swimming pool. He’s progressing nicely.”
Chris Forsberg: Celtics coach Brad Stevens couldn't rule it out completely but believes surgery is unlikely for Isaiah Thomas and his injured hip.
Mark Murphy: Brad Stevens said IT has not "determined" a course of action regarding his hip, and continues to rest.
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said he expects a medical update on Isaiah Thomas' injured right hip later this week.
After the hip issue forced him out of the playoffs, Thomas said he would undergo reevaluation once the swelling subsided. Thomas said surgery was not considered likely at the time, but that things could change after the swelling disappeared and doctors took a better look.
Chris Forsberg: Isaiah Thomas on hip: "[Surgery is] not the No. 1 option right now but it could be once the swelling goes down."Must wait for more tests. pic.twitter.com/oEFGGfG3zA
Chris Forsberg: Isaiah Thomas led the pregame huddle for the Celtics.
Adam Himmelsbach: Stevens says Isaiah will be at the game. No update on surgery possibility. Will let inflammation go down first.
There have been rumors that if the series with Cleveland were closer, maybe that would lead to a return to the floor for Thomas. “No. No way. He’s done [this season],” Danny Ainge, Celtics president of basketball operations, said on 98.5 the Sports Hub’s "Toucher & Rich" show this morning.
Thomas was in New York City earlier this week visiting a hip specialist. He's expected to consult with at least two more before making a decision as to what's the best course of treatment. “Everybody agrees if there’s anything that needs to be done to it surgically, it helps...if the inflammation goes down,” Ainge said. “The recovery [time] would be quicker.”
Ainge said there was “a lot” of irritation and inflammation around the affected joint in Thomas' right hip. “It had gotten worse from the MRIs he had before,” said Ainge, who added that it would have been “irresponsible to allow him to play anymore.”
A. Sherrod Blakely: Isaiah Thomas (hip) met with specialist, plans to meet with at least two more according to @Celtics HC Brad Stevens. #Celticstalk
Jay King: Marcus Smart said Isaiah Thomas was "ecstatic" after Game 3: "I told him I channeled my inner IT." youtu.be/uK_47kRyQj4
Adam Himmelsbach: Isaiah missed March games against the Nets and 76ers with the hip strain, but had not sat since then.
Mike Zarren: Can't say enough about #thelittleguy @Isaiah_Thomas - last month one of the guttiest performances (thru all sorts o' stuff) I've ever seen.
The Boston Celtics today announced that Isaiah Thomas will miss the remainder of this year’s postseason following re-aggravation of a right femoral-acetabular impingement with labral tear during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland.
Thomas initially injured the hip during the third quarter of the Celtics’ March 15 game against Minnesota, forcing him to miss the next two regular season contests. The injury was further aggravated during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Washington on May 12.
Thomas did not travel with the team to Cleveland and is currently evaluating treatment options. A further update will be provided as soon as one is available.
Danny Ainge: Legendary season by @Isaiah Thomas 💪🏼With the personal tragedy and injuries he's overcome, getting through game 7 was heroic #thelittleguy
Scott Souza: #Celtics Brad Stevens: Isaiah Thomas was pretty despondent not to be able to play. He's a tough guy.
Chris Forsberg: Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas is out the remainder of the night due to a right hip strain, per Celtics PR.
Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics release statement saying Isaiah Thomas does not have fractured or broken jaw. He did need extensive oral surgery to repair teeth.
Mark Murphy: Danny Ainge: "Isaiah does not have a broken jaw." Said IT had temporary bridge repaired last night. Will need permanent bridge after season.
Jay King: Isaiah Thomas just had some more dental work at halftime. He's back in now.
"The tooth that was knocked out was not the only one that was affected. So he had some other issues there," said Stevens. "So he was in getting oral surgery [Monday]. A few hours after practice ended, he came by the office for a minute, but was still - I don't know if he went back to the dentist's today or went to the hospital today just to work on it some more, but he's continued to have some work on it. "He's good to go [in Game 2] but he's still in a pretty good deal of pain. He's got a swollen mouth. But they say that he's doing really well from a recovery standpoint, which is positive."
Stevens said Thomas was fitted for custom mouthguards for additional protection so soon after undergoing oral surgery. "That will be strongly encouraged," said Stevens. "And sometimes when guys are strongly encouraged to wear those, they wear them. And sometimes they throw them. So we'll see."
Marc D'Amico: Isaiah Thomas did not practice today. "He's still in the dentist's chair," says Brad Stevens.
Sean Deveney: Otto Porter told me he didn't feel it when he knocked out Isaiah Thomas' tooth. "I saw him smile and I was like, 'Yo, missing a tooth!'"
Sean Grande: Isaiah Thomas returns for the Celtics tonight.
Scott Souza: #Celtics coach Brad Stevens: I've been told Isaiah Thomas is fine. No minutes restriction as far as I know.
Steve Bulpett: Isaiah Thomas went through the Celtics' walkthrough and got up his shots. He's ready to return tonight vs. Washington.
Marc D'Amico: Brad Stevens says "no new news" on Isaiah Thomas' knee. Out today vs. Philly and questionable for tomorrow's game vs. WAS. #NEBHInjuryReport
“He felt OK through the rest of the game, but was really hurting and swelled up last night,” Brad Stevens said Friday morning ahead of Celtics shootaround. “We’re hopeful to have him back after the trip, but I’m not sure. I think that he’ll be evaluated day-to-day in Boston and he’ll go through as much treatment as possible. “He wants to be back, he wants to be here, he wants to be playing, but he was sore yesterday, and those bone bruises are a little unpredictable.”
Marc D'Amico: Brad Stevens on IT's knee injury: "It swelled up last night. We hope to have him back after the trip, but we're not sure." #NEBHInjuryReport
Boston Celtics: Isaiah Thomas will not travel this weekend to NY and Philly. He's out with a right knee bone bruise. #NEBHInjuryReport
Gary Washburn: Isaiah Thomas: "I'll be suited and booted tomorrow and ready to help my team win." #Celtics
But barring any setbacks, Celtics president Danny Ainge said they’ll have their leading scorer back Friday night when Boston hosts the Charlotte Hornets. “Isaiah has looked good. He’s been here in Boston and I’ve seen him work out the last few days. He’s looked good. Unless he has any setbacks, the plan is for him to play [Friday] night,” Ainge told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich on Thursday. “That’s what we’re hoping for.”
Gary Washburn: Isaiah Thomas will NOT play tomorrow vs #Spurs. Is targeting Friday vs #Hornets. #Celtics
