After a long and exciting 2016-17 NBA season, there were many unexpected trades to follow in the postseason. Big names such as Gordon Hayward, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas and Chris Paul are some of the biggest moves in the off-season.

Cavs-Celtics

The Boston Celtics lost their beloved starting point guard, Isaiah Thomas along with forward Jae Crowder and center Ante Zizic, in a trade for whom some consider to be the best point guard in the NBA, Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Some may believe that the swap was a fair trade for the Boston Celtics if you consider Irving’s statistics from the previous 2016-17 NBA, Irving averaged 25.2 points per game, 3.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Irving announced his intent to leave the Cavaliers, mostly because he felt he was too good to be playing in the shadow of the Cavaliers superstar Lebron James. In attempt to relive their 2015 championship run, the Cavaliers added another big name to their roster, injury prone Derrick Rose.

Isaiah Thomas lost his sister two days before the start of the Celtics first round series of playoff games against the Chicago Bulls and still found the courage to compete in the playoffs. Thomas wanted to “give up and quit,” after his sister’s death in a single vehicle car accident. Thomas showed his loyalty to his Celtics fans and team members by playing in every game in last years playoffs, and some believe that it was unfair of the celtics to trade Thomas after showing his commitment to the team.

“I do believe that it was unfair of the Celtics to trade someone who showed his loyalty and commitment to his team by finding the courage to play in a playoff game only two days after his little sister had died,” senior Elijah Kennedy said.

Although the Cavaliers made some “power moves” in the 16-17 postseason, The Boston Celtics added another big name to their roster, forward Gordon Hayward. Will Kyrie and Hayward make a good duo in this upcoming season, and can The Celtics potentially make a playoff run to a championship? Junior Charlie Mensh believes so.                                                                                                                 

“Now that Kyrie and Gordon Hayward play for the Celtics they are the best team in the East, and will definitely make a deep run into the playoffs.”

Rockets-Clippers

Although the Cavaliers and the Celtics made a lot of noise in this postseason with their big name trades, the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers made some noise as well.

Chris Paul, a Winston Salem product, played for the Clippers for six years until he decided that there was no trophies to be won there and opted out of his contract and was traded to the Houston Rockets where he can play alongside James Harden, an NBA superstar. Hopefully, he will fulfill his reason for leaving to win an NBA championship.

Included in the trade, the clippers exchanged Paul for Patrick Beverly, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, Deandre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer, a protected first-round pick next year and some cash was included to seal the deal. With Chris Paul and James Harden in the backcourt, there is a bright future to look forward to for Rockets fans.

Thunder-Pacers

On top of these blockbuster trades,  there is another trade that is too big not to be mentioned.

Paul George, from the Indiana Pacers, was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder where George will play alongside a fellow NBA superstar, Russell Westbrook, who was awarded the 2016-17 NBA MVP. Also included in the deal were Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, who were both traded to the Pacers in order for OKC to confirm the trade for the four time NBA all-star Paul George.