The Cleveland Cavaliers are finding the right trade deal for their All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. They want to acquire a player that can do what Irving has done for the Cavaliers in his seven seasons with the team – hit big shots when they need them most. However, the Cavs have yet to receive an offer of their liking, more than one month after Irving met with team owner Dan Gilbert and requested a trade to either the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs or the Miami Heat.
According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, the Cavaliers are now thinking twice about trading Irving as they have to receive the right offer that will suit their need.
Bucher said a source told him that the Cavaliers want to smooth this problem out if they can. While the Cavs are waiting for the right offer for Irving, they expect the All-Star point guard to be at training camp. Irving is under contract with the Cavaliers for two more years and he has a player option on the third year, which will give him a chance to become an unrestricted free agent and look for the team that will install him as the leader and not a second fiddle to LeBron James.
Cavs trying to resolve Irving issue
Irving’s decision to ask for a trade came as a surprise for many members of the Cavs front office. Before he demanded a trade, Bucher said Irving has not expressed any dissatisfaction with his role on the team.
In fact, one member of the Cavs organization said Irving should not be unhappy because he took more shots that James last season, 1,420 to 1,344. Most importantly, Irving took the crucial shots in the game instead of James.
According to several former members of the franchise, Irving’s issue has nothing to do with his role but the way he has been treated by the team.
Irving thinks that he has not been extended the same kind of respect like what the Cavaliers are giving James. In addition, Irving took exception to the way James has been treating him. "LeBron looks at him as a little brother," one former Cavs employee told Bucher.
Bledsoe could replace Irving?
Even though they aren’t on the list of Irving’s preferred landing spots, the Phoenix Suns made a solid offer to the Cavs, dangling Eric Bledsoe, Dragan Bender and a 2018 first-round pick for the All-Star point guard.
Many consider Bledsoe as perfect replacement for Irving as the Cavaliers playmaker. Last season, Bledsoe averaged career-highs of 21.2 points and 6.3 assists in 66 games before he was shut down by the Suns for the last 16 games. Bledsoe is also close to James, who attended his wedding this summer. They also have the same agent -- James' boyhood friend Rich Paul. Bledsoe also looked up to LeBron as his idol, even picking the nickname "Mini LeBron" early in his career.
