When the Kyrie Irving trade happened, the Cleveland Cavaliers were praised for extracting so much value from the Boston Celtics -- the 2018 unprotected Brooklyn Nets pick, Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and Ante Zizic.

As time passed (and as the extent to which Isaiah Thomas was injured became clear), analysts began to cool on the trade a bit, especially when the Nets pick didn’t land in the top three of the 2018 draft. Collin Sexton is a fine piece, but the Celtics got a superstar out of the deal, which could (still) result in acquiring another superstar this offseason in Anthony Davis. The Celtics appeared to be the clear winners.

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert still believes in Cleveland’s haul, however (and he thinks Irving is leaving).

From a conversation between Gilbert and Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto: "I don’t know, but I think Kyrie will leave Boston,” said Gilbert. “We could have ended up with nothing. Looking back after all the moves Koby made, we killed it in that trade.”

Evaluating that trade will be interesting if Irving does leave. The Celtics certainly got the best player with two years remaining on his contract, which is good value considering what they gave up. Irving was easily the team’s best player this past season, and his presence (if it continues) helps set the team up for the future nicely.

On the other hand, Irving struggled to fit into the team’s current roster and required season-ending surgery before the playoffs in 2017-18. Sexton made the All-Rookie second team in a loaded class, and Cleveland really did see to do as well as one could ask, given the circumstances.

In the end, both teams got what they signed up for: The Cavaliers got a piece to start their rebuild when LeBron James bolted, and the Celtics got an opportunity to build a super team (which might fall through, thanks to some truly bad luck and a tough season). If Irving leaves, the Celtics can rest a little easier knowing that their process was solid, even if the results didn’t work out.