In an effort to quell speculation about his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Iriving has gone all Stephen A. Smith on us.
Correct, that does, in fact, mean the word “blasphemy” is involved.
During a video interview with USA Today, Irving dished on what it’s like being at the mercy of the media and rumors that he wants to leave the Cavs. He offered some pretty telling thoughts:
It’s a weird situation that the media has kind of put me in. It’s nothing that I’ve ever been worried about. I’m on my rookie deal. The team that can extend me is the Cleveland Cavaliers. For me to even think about getting trade is blasphemy. It’s ridiculous.
It’s nothing I’m really worried about, nothing I even think bout. But obviously, it’s the media’s job to speculate, you know, come out with a big story in The New York Times about it. It’s part of life, so I just acknowledge it and keep moving.
So, there’s that. And what “that” is hardly sounds like a ringing endorsement for his future in Cleveland. But hey, I’m not trying to read between the lines, because, screw the lines and everything in between.
Truth told, I don’t know what Irving is thinking. I can’t read minds (crazy, right?). Am I convinced he’s in love with playing for the Cavaliers? Hellllllll no. I’m not convinced anyone would be thrilled with playing for them in the post-LeBron James era, though. In fact, I’d think more of Irving if he wasn’t happy. That means he hates losing. Call me crazy, but I like a hatred of losing in my NBA superstars.
None of which is to say I think Irving is gone. I don’t. It’s just the opposite. I think he stays. Do I think he stays because of how much he loves Cleveland? Maybe. Mostly, though, I, like many of you, understand what Irving just said: He’s still on his rookie deal. The team that can extend him is the Cavs. End of story.
For Irving to leave, he would have to jump through an inordinate number of hoops. Not only must he refuse to sign an extension by the Oct. 31 deadline, but he must also accept Cleveland’s qualifying offer come summer 2015, thereby ensuring he remains with the Cavs until 2016 free agency, when he would have power over his own future.
Almost needless—but not quite—to say, that’s a long time. A lot of enemies could be made between now and then in Cleveland. That is, of course, if the Cavs don’t trade him first. That’s something different entirely.
If Irving refuses to sign an extension and the Cavs trade him, he must then break the heart of a second organization. Good luck with that.
Oh, and he’ll also have to prolong a lucrative payday. Did I forget to mention that part? You try staring a five-year extension worth close to nine figures in the face and telling the team dangling it—in this case the Cavs—to go piss off.
This is why stars on rookie deals don’t leave. Not usually. James is the closest thing to an exception we have, because he signed a shorter extension than most of his peers.
Bet safely, then, on Irving remaining in Cleveland beyond this season and next, and for the foreseeable future.
Gamble on his happiness about going nowhere at your own risk, though.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
