Stemming from concerns regarding Isaiah Thomas’ hip injury, the blockbuster trade between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers involving Kyrie Irving has been held up.With the threat of Thomas missing a large portion of the upcoming season due to the ailment, it was previously reported that the Cavaliers were seeking additional compensation in addition to Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the 2018 first-round pick of the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Irving.However, it seems as though both sides may be moving closer to making the deal official without any additional pieces."I am not damaged," Thomas told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday. "I'll be back, and I'll be the same player.”Thomas recently consulted with renowned hip specialist Dr. Bryan Kelly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. "He told me, 'I have seen hips worse than yours with guys who played at a high level and had great careers,'" Thomas said. "At the moment, yes, I am injured, but I have made progress from May.”The 28-year-old point guard averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists in 33.8 minutes per game in the regular season and then 23.3 points and 5.7 assists in 34.7 minutes in Boston’s postseason run, where he exited after re-aggravating his hip against the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.Thomas, who is entering the final year of his current contract, is adamant that he will not only be back on the court sometime soon, but he will return as strong as ever."There's never been an indication that I wouldn't be back, and there's never been an indication that this is something messing up my career," Thomas told Wojnarowski. "Maybe I am not going to be back as soon this season as everyone wants me to be, but I'm going to be back, and I'm going to be the same player again. No doctor has told me anything different than that.”

Since he has been very vocal about demanding a max contract next summer, not returning at full strength might have steep financial implications for the 5’9” floor general. Therefore, to the displeasure of Cavs fans, he might take his time in the recovery process. Thomas did admit he might miss some time in the regular season, but overall it seems as though he’s looking forward to his first campaign in Cleveland. 

"I don't know what [the organization] is doing," Thomas admitted to ESPN. "It's out of my control. I just want to talk about what I can control, and I know that this [hip] won't be a problem into the future.”

It remains to be seen when both sides finalize what was the most shocking trade of a busy NBA offseason. Based on Thomas’ comments above, it will likely be sometime soon, as both sides undoubtedly want to move forward.