Things have officially reached code red in Cleveland. Late July is typically not the most explosive or eventful time period in the NBA after the draft, summer league and free agency has all but passed.
The Cavaliers 25-year-old star and accomplished LeBron sidekick Kyrie Irving has requested a trade and wants out of Cleveland.
Sources tell @WindhorstESPN Kyrie Irving has requested a trade out of Cleveland to find a bigger role. https://t.co/ezgL41PpeT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 21, 2017
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Irving told the team he was requesting a trade during a meeting with management.
Here is what Windhorst said:
“Kyrie Irving is ready to end his run with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as league sources told ESPN that the guard has asked the team to trade him.
The request came last week and was made to Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. Irving has expressed that he wants to go play in a situation where he can be a more focal point and no longer wants to play alongside LeBron James, sources said.
James was informed of Irving’s request and was blindsided and disappointed, sources said.”
This is officially the most explosive and shocking news of the off-season as it is not often a superstar breakup is this public and a 25-year-old superstar demands a trade from a team that has just made three straight NBA Finals.
There are two ways to view this: Irving sees the writing on the wall and is convinced LeBron is out in a year and doesn’t want to be stuck in Cleveland not competing for titles, or Irving legitimately is tired of being second fiddle and wants to strike out on his own to be the lone face of a franchise.
The first scenario makes sense and kudos to Irving for getting ahead of it, the second scenario makes Irving look a little egotistical and foolish to be honest.
Irving has listed his preferred destinations as San Antonio, New York, Miami or Minnesota.
Let’s see if Irving gets moved in the coming days, such a move would only push LeBron further out the door.
