Joe Vardon, cleveland.com

Cavs don't want to rush Isaiah Thomas

CLEVELAND -- New Cavaliers point guard Isaiah Thomas is set to arrive Sunday and begin his rehab work on his injured right hip with team doctors and training staff on Tuesday.

The Cavs don’t have a timetable of return for Thomas, the 5-9, two-time All-Star who was the biggest name player Cleveland received in exchange for Kyrie Irving. Multiple sources told cleveland.com the team “is not going to rush it” with Thomas, but is optimistic he’ll return to the court in the 2017-18 season and play at his usually high level.

Though Thomas was upset to have been traded by the Celtics, he’s “fully committed” to playing for Cleveland, a source said.

Thomas’ work back to the court will be overseen by Dr. James Rosneck, a renowned hip specialist at the Cleveland Clinic who works with the Cavs. Dr. Richard Parker, the team’s lead doctor and an orthopedic surgeon at the Clinic, will of course also be involved.

The Cavs want to see how Thomas responds after a week, and then through the month of September leading into training camp before they determine a timetable. Thomas elected not to have surgery and told ESPN this week surgery was not the best course of action. All indications point to Thomas missing at least a portion of the season.

Thomas, who was third in the NBA in scoring at 28.9 points per game last year, is suffering from a torn labrum and additional injuries in his hip that both date to March of last season and have plagued him for years.

Thomas is 28 and is entering the final year of his contract, for about $6.3 million.

The Cavs acquired Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets’ No. 1 pick in 2018 and the Miami second-round pick in 2020 for Irving. Cleveland views the trade -- as one might expect -- highly, from a short and long-term perspective. Here's why:

(Photo by Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer)

Don't Edit

Crowder not LeBron's backup

According to a source, the Cavs aren’t looking at Crowder as merely a backup to LeBron James. Crowder, 27, is 6-6 and 235 pounds. He’s known as a gritty wing defender who shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range last season.

Coach Tyronn Lue is working on lineups with James and Crowder on the court together. While James can play any of the five positions on the court, Crowder can guard shooting guards, wings, and power forwards.

It means the Cavs could go big with him, James, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson on the court, or, slide LeBron into the post with Crowder on the wing and either Love or Thompson at center.

Also, it bears repeating, Crowder's contract calls for him to make $6.8 million, $7.3 million, and $7.8 million over the next three seasons. It's a highly valuable contract for the Cavs or any other team interested in him.

(Photo by Thomas Ondrey/ Plain Dealer)

Don't Edit

Calderon already working out in Cleveland

In the event Thomas is indeed out, Derrick Rose, the NBA’s MVP in 2011, would slide into the Cavs’ starting role.

Cleveland also signed veteran Jose Calderon in July. Calderon, who turns 36 this month, has been working out in Cleveland for more than a week. The 3.4 points and and 41 percent shooting in 41 games last season were career lows for Calderon, but the Cavs think he'll be OK playing on a deep bench in limited minutes.

(Photo by Thomas Ondrey/ Plain Dealer)

Don't Edit

Cavs hiring Brezec as international scout

The Cavs are hiring former NBA center Primoz Brezec as an international scout. Brezec played for six teams from 2001-10, and has played the last several seasons in Europe.

Mike Gansey, assistant general manager to Koby Altman, will oversee Cleveland’s scouting operations and will run the Cavs’ draft.

Brandon Weems is the Cavs’ director of scouting.

All of this matters because the Cavs, after two seasons with no first-round picks, now have two in the 2018 draft.

(Photo by Roadell Hickman, Plain Dealer)

Don't Edit

Picks galore

As owners of Brooklyn’s No. 1 pick, which could be a top-five pick in next year’s draft, Cleveland has fielded numerous calls already about a potential trade. It could be a part of a major trade package for the Cavs later this year, or, conceivably, the Cavs could make that pick next June.

Cleveland also has its own first-round pick in 2018, which it can trade. 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.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Osman shines

Cedi Osman, the Cavs' 22-year-old forward from Turkey, led the Turks with 28 points, seven rebounds, seven steals, and four assists in a 76-73 loss to Russia in the FIBA Eurobasket tournament.

The Cavs signed Osman to a three-year, $8.3 million deal in July.