Winners and losers from the Kyrie Irving trade to the Celtics

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) /

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INDEPENDENCE, OH – JULY 26: Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert introduces new general manager Koby Altman during a press conference at The Cleveland Clinic Courts on July 26, 2016 in Independence, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Winner: Koby Altman’s reputation as a rookie GM

Koby Altman was thrust into the fire nearly a month ago when he was promoted to become the next general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

There was already a lot of pressure on the Cavaliers to try and improve after getting knocked out by Golden State. They whiffed on trades for Paul George and Jimmy Butler and David Griffin was out the door.

Altman got thrown in right after Irving asked to get traded, and suddenly the pressure mounted on the young GM.

He stepped up in his first trade and delivered the goods. Yeah, in the NBA, you never win a trade when you give up a star, but the Cavaliers did pretty darn good. They got back a star point guard, a two-way player and the Nets’ first-round pick in 2018 that could be in the top three.

That’s pretty good in my book, especially when the hand that Altman was dealt wasn’t very good.

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