In the NBA, it is extremely rare for the top two teams in a conference to make a blockbuster trade. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and two draft picks to cap off an extremely entertaining offseason.

With the two teams set to face off against each other in the 2017-18 NBA season opener, Irving was asked what is the best strategy to beat his former team according to Keith Smith of Real GM:

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With only four players returning for the new season, the expectation is it will take some time for head coach Brad Stevens and the new players to figure out the best combinations. However, with a core of Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford established, the Celtics are expected to be one of the top teams in the league.

With LeBron James looking to earn his eighth consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals, it would not be surprising if the two teams met again in the Eastern Conference Finals. As Irving is looking to lead his own team, there will be plenty of storylines between him and James leading up to the playoffs.