Several Cleveland Cavaliers teammates wanted Kyrie Irving to stay with the team and iron out things with LeBron James, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. McMenamin reported that multiple Cavs teammate hoped that Irving would remain with the Cavaliers, work out their differences like a family and take another shot at the NBA crown. However, McMenamin said it was too late as Irving already told the Cavaliers' front office that he would not report to training camp if his request to be traded was not granted. Earlier, Irving approached Cavs team owner Dan Gilbert and asked for a trade, saying he wanted to be the focal point of a team’s offense and wanted to play away from LeBron James’ shadow.
Irving also mentioned four teams – the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves as possible landing spots. While he was not traded to his preferred teams, Irving will get his chance to become the No. 1 man in Boston.
Cavs eyed rookie Jayson Tatum
According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Cavaliers wanted to include Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum in the package. The Celtics refused, creating a stalemate in trade negotiations. Eventually, the Cavaliers folded and abandoned their request to include Tatum. The Cavaliers acquired guard Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick for Irving.
Now, Tatum is happy that he will play alongside a fellow former Duke product in Irving, who was drafted first overall after just one year with the Blue Devils. In his lone season with the Blue Devils, Tatum averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. According to Chris Forsberg of ESPN, Tatum heaved a sigh of relief after his name wasn’t included in the final package for Irving.
Bucks made last-ditch effort to get Irving
According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, the Milwaukee Bucks made a last-ditch effort to snatch Irving by offering guard Malcolm Brogdon, and wing Khris Middleton to the Cavaliers. Gambadoro said the Bucks were close to acquiring Irving but the Cavs opted to ship Irving to the Celtics.
Brogdon was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 10.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game last season. Despite being limited by injuries to 29 games last season, Middleton still put up decent numbers, averaging 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. It was also reported that the Bucks tried to offer Jabari Parker to the Cavaliers.
