Source –
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 play in a situation where he can be more of a focal point and that he no longer wants to play alongside LeBron James, sources said.
Irving’s agent, Jeff Wechsler, would not confirm or deny whether Irving asked for a trade.
“Kyrie and I had a meeting with Cavs leadership where we discussed many different scenarios in reference to Kyrie and his future with the team,” Wechsler told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “The basis of those discussions and what went on in those discussions are between the Cavs and us. We are respectfully going to keep those private.”
The Cavaliers parted with general manager David Griffin last month after they couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension. Cleveland has yet to name Griffin’s replacement, and franchise centerpiece James has reportedly expressed concern about the team’s direction.
James was informed of Irving’s request and was blindsided and disappointed, sources said. Other members of the team have learned of Irving’s intentions in recent days as well.
News of the request comes days after Irving told Sports Illustrated that the Cavaliers were in a “peculiar” place this offseason.
“I understand we’re in a very peculiar place,” Irving told the magazine. “We just have to, you know, make sure that all our pieces are aligned first, and then we go from there. It’s the summertime, a lot of craziness going on in the NBA.”
Uncle Drew wants to be the man!
The question now is, where does he end up? The package will be massive and LeBron James is going to have a huge say on where Irving ends up. Is that fair, well no, but that’s the business. If he goes to the west coast, the eastern conference becomes a laughable crap shoot.
With all of the offseason shuffling in the NBA, you have to wonder if teams would have executed differently had they known Kyrie was available.
Irving no longer wants to be compared to Scottie Pippen. He no longer wants to ride with LeBron and his in your face leadership style. Irving wants to captain the ship, he wants to prove to the league he can win without LeBron, and he will.
Kyrie Irving will win the MVP. Uncle Drew will carry on, and he will continue to develop into a Hall of Fame point guard. How does a Carmelo Anthony for Kyrie Irving swap sound? Who knows, ask LeBron.
