BOSTON, MA – MAY 17: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half during Game One of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 17, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics stunned the basketball world earlier this week when they agreed to a blockbuster trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Celtics and Isaiah Thomas to the Cavaliers.

However, it appears there’s still a chance the trade falls through.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that a Thomas hip injury has the Cleveland Cavaliers “weighing options” in terms of (officially) completing the deal, and one source told him “it’s a very sensitive situation.”

It’s the same hip injury that knocked Thomas out of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavs. So, it’s possible that Thomas doesn’t pass the physical and the Cavs to choose to void the trade, and… boy, that would be something.

We already know that Irving demanded a trade in July, so he obviously doesn’t want to be back with the Cavs. And Thomas probably doesn’t want to be back in Boston after they just decided they wanted to trade him, following a season in which he finished fifth in NBA MVP voting. Jae Crowder was also sent to Cleveland in the trade, and he may not want to be back with a team that chose to trade him away either. It’s an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved.

If the Cavs are left back with Kyrie, can they get anywhere near equal value in a trade for him again? Along with a star guard in Thomas and a starting-caliber forward in Crowder, they also got the Brooklyn Nets’ unprotected first-round pick from the Celtics, which could end up being the top pick in next year’s draft. The rest of the NBA has seen for themselves that the Cavs will indeed trade Irving as he’s requested, and if this Celtics trade falls through, it could hurt Cleveland’s leverage in other Irving trade talks.

And, with that in mind, perhaps the Cavs will decide that it’s just best to take the chance that Thomas can (eventually) be healthy, and at the very least still get Crowder, 20-year-old Ante Zizic, and the Nets’ pick out of the deal. As Wojnarowski added in his article on Cleveland’s concern over the Thomas injury, the Cavs may just ask the Celtics to sweeten the pot:

Instead of voiding the deal, Cleveland could potentially push for Boston to sweeten it — namely for another draft pick. For now, those are conversations still potentially to be had.

What we know for sure is that it will be interesting to see the whole situation play out, and especially interesting to see these two teams play against each other Oct. 17 on opening night.

Update:  Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Cavs will indeed seek additional compensation in the trade, and that Cleveland “could threaten to veto the trade” if there aren’t changes made to it.

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 said.

Without revisions to the original trade agreement, the Cavaliers could threaten to veto the trade, league sources said.

[ESPN]

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.