Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving will ask for a trade if LeBron James opts out of his deal and bolts the team next season. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Irving has been contacting some of his former Team USA teammates, telling them that he will ask to be traded if James ops out after the coming season. Cowley said Irving could make the move, “especially if he feels the Cavs’ run could end quickly with James able to opt out after next season”.

Cowley also said that Irving is interested in donning the Chicago Bulls uniform.

The price for Irving will be too steep and the Bulls may bring a third team into the deal. Earlier, it was rumored that some teams have called Cavs outgoing general manager David Griffin asking about a possible trade involving Irving.

There were reports that James plans to leave the Cavs after the coming season and join the Los Angeles Lakers. The rumors got stronger when it was mentioned that James’ wife plans to live in Los Angeles permanently. There is a possibility that James and Paul George will both suit up with the Lakers in the near future. Currently, the Lakers are working on a trade with the Indiana Pacers for George.

James disappointed with Cavs for letting Griffin go

The Cavaliers recently announced that they will not extend Griffin’s contract, which will expire on June 30.

According to reports, James was not consulted with the decision to let Griffin go. James was reportedly surprised and disappointed by the move, which came days before the NBA Draft.

James thanked Griffin via Twitter and partly took a shot at the Cavs front office, saying “If no one appreciated you Griff I did, and hopefully all the people of Cleveland!

Thanks for what u did for the team for 3 yrs!” LeBron also acknowledged Griffin’s role in the franchise’s first NBA championship.

Griffin fired for exploring trade possibilities for Irving?

In a statement, the Cavaliers thanked Griffin for his services but there was no definite reason behind the decision not to sign him to a contract extension, especially if he’s the one who turned the team into a championship contender in the past three seasons.

There were reports that team owner Dan Gilbert decided to part ways with Griffin after the latter explored trade possibilities for Irving.

Sam Amico of Fox Sports said differences in opinion regarding the team’s next moves led to Griffin’s departure. Gilbert made the decision not to extend Griffin during a time when the latter was looking into trade possibilities for Paul George of the Indiana Pacers and Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls.
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