Kyrie Irving reportedly asked the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade him. League sources noted that he wants to be traded because he wants to feel like he is the main player of a franchise instead of sharing the spotlight with LeBron James.
Sources told ESPN that Irving made the request to be traded to another team last week. He addressed his request to the Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. No NBA team is set in stone yet but the teams rumored to be possible destinations are Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs.
Irving’s agent releases statement
These reports have not been confirmed or denied by the player or his agent, Jeff Wechsler, yet. However, Wechsler said in a statement that he and Irving had a meeting with the Cavaliers and they talked about a lot of things regarding the career of the player with the team in the future. He pointed out that he could not disclose what they talked about because it is between him, Irving, and the Cavs.
Wechsler asked for their privacy about the matter. The Cavaliers are also reportedly bothered that such rumors have made its way to the public.
Irving has two more years left on his contract with Cavs
Irving has two more years left on his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He is supposed to be eligible for a supermax deal by 2019 if he stays with the Cavs. However, Sports Illustrated reported that he wants to be the main offense of a team and he could not do that if he sticks it out with the Cavs, who still has James.
The publication added that there has been a lot of talk about James possibly heading to Miami Heat and leaving Cavs after the team’s loss during the 2016-2017 NBA Championship against the Golden State Warriors.
This reportedly influenced Irving’s decision since as have been a lot of problems faced by the Cavs during the offseason and if James already has a plan to save his career, Irving feels he should also be doing the same.
New York Knicks interested in acquiring Irving
Since news broke that Irving wants to be traded to another team, reports surfaced claiming that the New York Knicks are very interested in acquiring him.
He fits the rumored condition of the Knicks, which is to have a roster of players who are 25-years-old or younger. Irving is 25 years old and they could possibly work out a deal with the Cavs regarding Carmelo Anthony.
Do you think Kyrie Irving should really leave Cavaliers? Which team should he go to? Let us know in the comments!