After concerns regarding Isaiah Thomas' physical, the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers eventually completed their blockbuster trade centered around Kyrie Irving. With Irving looking to become the team's first option, he now joins Gordon Hayward and Al Horford in Boston.

At the introductory press conference, Irving and Hayward revealed another opportunity to play with each other on the Cavaliers back in 2014 free agency according to Dime on UPROXX:

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When Hayward became a restricted free agent, the Jazz asked him to find an offer sheet which they would match. As Irving was recruiting him, LeBron James shocked the basketball world by returning home despite winning two championships in four consecutive NBA Finals appearances with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. In the end, the Jazz's decision to ask Hayward to sign an offer sheet elsewhere reportedly played a role in him signing with the Celtics three years later.

With an opportunity to play with each other now, their goal is to dethrone James and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. While all teams are chasing the defending champion Golden State Warriors, the Celtics have established a competitive team heading into the 2017-18 NBA season. Their first matchup against the Cavaliers takes place in the season opener at Quicken Loans Arena.