If LeBron James wasn’t happy about Cleveland’s offseason, then he’s about to become more unhappy.
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It has been reported that his star point guard, Kyrie Irving, wants to be traded out of Cleveland. The reasons for Irving’s success are that he wants a bigger role on another team and that he doesn’t want to play alongside James any longer.
Neither the Cavaliers or Irving’s camp has confirmed the reports, but they also haven’t denied them. Here’s the statement that Irving’s agent, Jeff Wechsler, has released.
“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.”
Sometime when you say “nothing”, you’re actually saying “a lot”. And by not denying the rumors, I think they’re actually saying their true.
It’s not hard to fathom that Irving wants to leave Cleveland. When Irving was drafted first overall back in 2011, this was supposed to be Irving’s team and he was going to be the growing star with a rebuilding team.
That was until James arrived.
Since 2014, Irving has to take a backseat to James’ stardom. Although he is and has been said to be the future star of the franchise and has put up All-Star numbers, it’s something that hasn’t been easy for Irving to do. Now that the Cavs have been to three straight Finals, winning two seasons ago, this may be the right time for Irving to leave and rebuild with another team while he’s young and has yet to reach his prime. He has his ring, so why not go help another team get theirs.
That team is yet to be known for sure, as Irving has given the Cavs a short list, which includes New York. A team in desperate need of another star, and who might be a good trade contender if the Cavs still do want Camelo Anthony. Can you imagine the tandem of Porzingis and Irving?
With Irving’s request supposedly coming last week, this may make some sense as to why they may sign former MVP Derrick Rose to a 1-year deal. Although Rose is no longer the MVP player of the past, he may be their best option to replace Irving in the very short term. However, I don’t think Rose replace Irving well enough to take them back to the Finals.
It should be interesting to see how this all plans out. If Irving wants a ring immediately, he may need to go to another team like the Houston Rockets (despite having Chris Paul AND James Harden) or maybe even the Los Angeles Clippers whom Paul left. Although it would be sad to see Irving leave the Cavs, there’s a small part of me that is in support of it.
I’d like to see Irving own his own team and see how far he can take them, now that he’s learned how to win.
