New Cavs guard Isaiah Thomas is set to begin his rehab work Tuesday in Cleveland on his injured right hip, working with team doctors and training staff, cleveland.com reported.
The hip nearly scuttled the trade that brought, among others, Thomas to the Cavs from the Celtics for Kyrie Irving.
Thomas, a two-time All-Star, initially was unhappy about being traded to Cleveland but is “fully committed” to playing for the Cavs, an unidentified source told cleveland.com.
While the Cavs are optimistic that Thomas eventually will recover fully from the hip problem that ended his season in the playoffs, the team "is not going to rush it," according to cleveland.com, which cited multiple unidentified sources.
The Cavs will establish a timetable after Thomas responds to work this week and then the rest of September before opening training camp. It appears likely that he will miss at least the early part of the regular season.
Thomas, 28, is entering the final year of his contract at approximately $6.3 million.
Meanwhile, cleveland.com reported the Cavs have "fielded numerous calls already about a potential trade" involving their numerous picks in the 2018 NBA Draft. In addition to their first-round pick, the Cavs also own the Nets' No. 1, which could be a top-five pick.
Cleveland.com notes the Cavs also have multiple trade exceptions and second-round picks, and "are pleased with their assets for potential trades or to replenish the roster in the event of a rebuild."
