ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is the most prolific and trustworthy NBA Insider out there. But when it comes to the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas saga, he was wrong pretty much every step of the way.
The drama started last Friday night, when Wojnarowski reported the Cavaliers were dissatisfied with the results of Thomas' physical. The news was surprising, considering Thomas had injured his hip against the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals. Plus, the Celtics were more than transparent about the state of their former point guard's hip. In an interview with Comcast SportsNet New England, general manager Danny Ainge admitted there was a possibility Thomas wouldn't be ready to start the season.
It quickly became apparent the Cavaliers were using Thomas' hip as a negotiating ploy, but their motive remained unclear. At first, Wojnarowski said the Cavaliers were intent on inquiring about young forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But it appears as if those requests were never made. The Boston Herald's Mark Murphy contradicted Woj's report Tuesday, saying the Celtics had not heard from the Cavaliers up to that point.
Later Tuesday, Wojnarowski came back and said the Cavaliers were seeking a late first- or a second-rounder from the Celtics. Then he backed further off that report Wednesday, saying on "SportsCenter" that Cleveland would not ask for additional compensation at all.
As it turns out, the Cavaliers wound up netting a 2020 second-round selection from the Celtics in addition to Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets' 2018 first-round pick –– which will likely be a high lottery selection. Wojnarowski was the first to tweet the news, but 19 minutes earlier, he said the Cavaliers were "still pursuing" a first-round pick to complete the deal. Either Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert changed his mind instantaneously, or Wojnarowski was used. While Gilbert is an unpredictable loon, the latter seems more plausible in this scenario.
The schizophrenic pattern of Woj's reporting is emblematic of today's 24/7 news cycle. Rumors now qualify as news, which means a lot of disinformation is released to the masses. Even when there's nothing tangible to report, journalists are forced to give breathless updates on the stories they're covering. That's how you wind up with Wojnarowski contradicting himself multiple times within the same day.
Eventually, Woj got the big scoop. But it was a circuitous ride.
