- ABC News
- September 18, 2017
BOSTON -- Kyrie Irving said he has not spoken with LeBron James since the trade that delivered him to the Boston Celtics, but he showered his former teammate with praise and stressed that his decision to push for a trade was motivated by an opportunity to find out what more he can accomplish. The Celtics formally introduced Irving and fellow summer acquisition Gordon Hayward on Friday at TD Garden. The Celtics traded Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the? Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-round pick, and the Miami Heat's 2020 second-round pick in exchange for Irving. Hayward signed a four-year, $128 million contract with the Celtics in July. Looking relaxed and often playfully interacting with both Hayward and the Boston brass seated beside him, Irving seemed very much as if he was embracing being the new face of the franchise. "I can't wait to get on the floor and maximize my potential," Irving said. "I just...