Warriors ‘uninterested’ in Klay Thompson – Kyrie Irving swap

The Cleveland Cavaliers explored many trade options for Kyrie Irving. One of them was a deal for Klay Thompson. The Golden State Warriors were uninterested.

Now that the Cleveland Cavaliers have traded Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics for a package that included All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, the other suitors in the running for the Cavaliers’ former All-Star are seemingly stepping forward to explain why they did not get their man.

Whether such statements are to be believed is a matter for fans to decide. The Celtics are long used to this game of having to show why they were not willing to part with that coveted Brooklyn Nets pick to do a deal — whether it was Paul George or Jimmy Butler or whoever. Boston finally pulled the trigger.

Irving, though, had several suitors. While he initially seemed to state he had four preferences — the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks — plenty of other teams wanted and got in. The Cavaliers too had to acquire someone they believe could help them win a title this year too in their quest to keep LeBron James away from free agency next summer.

Naturally, then, Cleveland had to make a call to the Golden State Warriors and see if they had any interest in adding Kyrie Irving to their collective. They were not giving up Stephen Curry (and they cannot anyway until January since he just signed a new contract) and so a deal would have to center likely on Klay Thompson.

According to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, the Warriors were decidedly uninterested.

"Altman was extremely focused on the future in making this trade, a source said. This trade may give James much more faith in Altman as a general manager. It would be hard to believe that Altman could have landed a better trade than the Boston one. He did call the uninterested Warriors about Klay Thompson, a source said."

Hard to blame the Warriors for passing on Irving. Golden State is coming off its second championship in three years and everyone around the league has the growing sense of dread the Warriors are going to reign for a very long time with the talent on the roster.

Thompson probably sacrificed the most of the bunch in acquiring Kevin Durant. But he still averaged 22.3 points per game with a 56.5 effective field goal percentage.

But no one could blame Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman from trying.

Ultimately, Cleveland got an All-Star replacement for Irving in Thomas. And the Cavaliers set themselves well for the future with Thomas and James entering free agency next summer and the promise of the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick upcoming.

Next: 5 ripple effects of Kyrie Irving trade

A deal with the Warriors might have given the team another solid shooter to put around LeBron James. But it likely did not make sense for either team. Golden State was rightfully uninterested.