In an offseason where Paul George and Jimmy Butler were traded by the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls for disappointing returns, the Boston Celtics decided to blow those trade packages out of the water by sending Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and Brooklyn's 2018 first round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving.

According to one general manager, Irving would have to become a top-10 player in the NBA to equal the value of what Boston send to the Cavaliers.

Cleveland also sought either Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum in the trade.

While Irving is a consistent All-Star and one of the best playmakers in the NBA, he is not widely considered to be a top-10 player.