Rather than void Kyrie Irving trade, Cavaliers may push for more picks

The Cleveland Cavaliers want the Kyrie Irving trade with the Celtics to go forward — they got a big haul with Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and maybe the most important thing for them, the Brooklyn Nets pick in this upcoming draft.

The Cavaliers also have concerns with Thomas’ hip and how it’s healing after Thomas came to Cleveland for a physical.

But don’t expect the Cavs to just void the trade. They really want the Brooklyn pick. They could really use the wing defense Crowder brings. The more likely path for Cleveland is to re-open negotiations, according to multiple reports.

Source told me this week a renegotiation attempt would be a likely option before anything was rescinded if it reached that point. https://t.co/yy0Q2CWUEI

— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) August 26, 2017

I heard on Wednesday the Cavs were worried about Isaiah Thomas' hip, even before the physical. Don't be surprised if they get another pick. https://t.co/Gv01bYw14E

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) August 26, 2017

The guy who broke the Thomas story, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, added this.

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.

The two sides are reportedly going to talk Saturday.

Adding compensation makes far more sense — just voiding the deal puts the Cavs back to square one in trying to trade Irving, and they don’t get the Brooklyn pick they covet. (Let alone the mess it would create for the Celtics, who would have Thomas back on their roster and he’s not happy).

Of course, the question is what pick? I can’t see Boston surrendering the Lakers/Kings/Sixers pick that will be very high in the next two years (the Lakers pick in 2018 if it is 2-5; otherwise the better of the Kings/Sixers pick in 2019 unless it is No. 1, then the lesser of the two), or the 2019 Memphis first rounder (top eight protected). But one of their own picks? The Clippers 2019 or 2020 first rounder (lottery protected)? More likely, Boston has a series of second rounders. There are options.

Voiding the deal is the move of last resort for the Cavaliers. It’s not off the table, but first the sides will talk.