While the trade sending Kyrie Irving to the Celtics and Isaiah Thomas to the Cavaliers is in limbo due to Thomas' hip injury, Thomas himself has been perfectly clear about one thing—that he will return as the same player he was before the injury.
"I am not damaged," Thomas told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski in an extensive interview. "I'll be back, and I'll be the same player."
Thomas was traded to the Cavs along with Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round pick in exchange for Irving last Tuesday. But the deal was subject to all players taking—and passing—a physical, and the Cavs decided to explore their options regarding the completion of the deal after examining Thomas' hip.