After requesting a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this summer, Kyrie Irving finally got his wish this week as he got a move to the Boston Celtics.

In exchange, the Cavs received Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, a 2018 unprotected first-round pick - via the Brooklyn Nets - and a 2020 second-round pick - via the Miami Heat.

It's a huge package for the Celtics to give away for Irving, but they felt an opportunity to land one of the league's current superstars was one they couldn't miss.

Despite winning a championship in Cleveland, Kyrie felt it was time for him to move on and begin a new chapter in his career.

It has been reported throughout the offseason that his unwillingness to continue playing with LeBron James was one of the main factors behind his decision to leave Ohio.

However, during the 25-year-old's introductory press conference with his new team, the four-time All-Star said he wanted to "maximise his potential" and that his choice had nothing to do with James.

Interestingly, the Celtics open their season with a trip to face the Cavaliers on 17 October and one of Irving's former teammates is already looking forward to matching up against him.

Shooting guard Iman Shumpert, who is likely to have to defend the All-NBA man for many stretches during that game, had a warning for the former Cavs star.

"I know how Kyrie play. I know we gotta beat them. That's it," he said, per TMZ Sports. "I know all his moves."

Shump and Kyrie developed a close friendship during their time in The Land. In 2015, the pair spent much time together as they were both rehabbing from separate long-term injuries.

Despite his competitiveness, the 27-year-old says he has no problems with Uncle Drew's exit from Cleveland and has no hard feelings towards him.

"Nah, that's my bro," he said. "This a business, dog. This all a business. I used to do the, you know, super loyalty, all [that], it's a business at the end of the day. You can't get mad when things...don't go how you want it to go cause it's in your heart. It's just a business."

The former New York Knicks man was also reported to have requested a trade this summer but those claims have been denied by those close to him.

That means he's more than likely to be lining up against his ex-teammate in the first encounter between Boston and the Cavaliers on opening night in what has now become an intriguing encounter.