Former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin believes that Kyrie Irving will eventually be traded even as he lauded the All-Star point guard's courage to request that he be swapped to another team. Griffin, in an interview on ESPN’s The Jump, said “most guys don’t have the courage to do what Irving did. Earlier, Irving met with Cavaliers team owner Dan Gilbert and demanded a trade, explaining that he seeks to be the leader of a team and wants to play away from LeBron James’ shadow. Irving then mentioned four teams – the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Miami Heat – as his preferred trade destinations.
Griffin said Irving’s decision to meet with Gilbert and demand a trade was the better way to do it, rather than pretend that everything’s all right and let the team sink from within. The Cavaliers have received offers from at least 20 teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Suns have reportedly offered Eric Bledsoe, Dragan Bender and a 2018 first-round pick for Irving. The Pistons, for their part, want to swap veterans Reggie Jackson and Avery Bradley and one of their young talents -- Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson, and Luke Kennard – for Irving.
Griffin said Cavs will trade Irving
While it’s all quiet in the Cavaliers’ front, Griffin believes that the 25-year-old Irving will be eventually traded.
Griffin worked as Cavalier's general manager from 2014-2017, forming the team that went to three straight NBA Finals and won the NBA title two seasons ago. However, the Cavaliers did not sign him to a contract extension, allowing him to leave at a crucial time when the team was dealing for Jimmy Butler, who was then with the Chicago Bulls.
The deal never materialized while Butler was traded to the Timberwolves on Draft Day.
Griffin almost joined Knicks
After he left the Cavaliers, Griffin met with the Knicks about their vacant general manager position. They were close to an agreement, but the deal fell apart due to disagreements with Griffin’s role with the team.
According to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, the Knicks refused to give Griffin full authority on basketball decisions. In addition, the Knicks rejected Griffin’s plan to bring his own staff to Madison Square Garden. Days after, Griffin pulled out his name out of the search. The Knicks eventually hired Scott Perry as general manager and promoted Steve Mills as team president.
