The Cleveland Cavaliers have not been having the best offseason coming off their loss in the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors. A few days ago, reports surfaced about how LeBron James was “concerned” over how the team's offseason has gone. Just recently, Kyrie Irving weighed in saying, “I understand we're in a very peculiar place," but now it appears the star point guard would like to get out of it.

Sources say Irving seeks trade from Cavs

Sources have told ESPN's Brain Windhorst that Kyrie Irving asked the Cleveland Cavaliers for a trade during a meeting last week with team Owner Dan Gilbert.

Irving is currently in Asia and set off for his tour there with Nike Basketball yesterday. These same sources also said that Irving wants to play for a team where he can be more of a focal point and that he no longer wants to play with LeBron James.

It has been reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Chris Haynes that sources said Irving listed the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and San Antiono Spurs as his preferred destinations. ESPN's Ian Begley said that sources told him that the Chicago Bulls were also in the running before they traded Jimmy Butler to Minnesota. Irving's agent, Jeff Wechsler, would not confirm or deny if Irving asked for a trade.

How LeBron and others reacted to this news

Those same sources say that LeBron James, who himself has been the subject of speculation that he will join the L.A. Lakers next season, was “blindsided and is disappointed” by the news. Supposedly, James has told the Cleveland Cavaliers that he is focused on his offseason workout regimen and is planning on reporting to Cavs training camp with the intention of leading the team.

He is going to be hands off in the team's handling of Irving's trade demand, letting the front office and owner Dan Gilbert handle the situation.

Sources also told ESPN's Chris Haynes that Cavaliers were troubled by the fact that Irving's request became public knowledge and think it may hurt his trade value. It was also reported that Kyrie Irving discussed the meeting with several of his teammates, though it is unknown who he talked to.

The Cavs are in control of Irving

Kyrie Irving still has two years remaining on his contract, with a player option for the third season in 2019-20. The Cleveland Cavaliers can always reject his plea and keep him. They could also trade him if they choose for a batch of young players or a veteran in order to try to keep LeBron James. If they do decide to try him to can ignore his list of preferred teams, since Irving has no trade clause.
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