There have been plenty of rumors circulating in regards to LeBron James leaving Cleveland once again after the 2017-18 season. It turns out that his teammate, Kyrie Irving, might have the same vision as well.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Friday that Irving has asked the team to trade him.
Kyrie Irving requests a trade from Cavs, sources told ESPN. LeBron James was blindsided and is disappointed: https://t.co/54afvYge9V
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 21, 2017
According to Windhorst –
“Irving has expressed that he wants to go play in a situation where he can be a more focal point and no longer wants to play alongside LeBron James, sources said.”
“James was informed of Irving’s request and was blindsided and disappointed, sources said. Other members of the team have learned of Irving’s intentions in recent days as well.”
It’s a shocking development in what has been an interesting offseason for the Cavaliers following their loss to the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 NBA Finals.
Irving recently told Sports Illustrated that the Cavaliers were in a “very peculiar place” this offseason.
The Cavaliers parted ways with GM David Griffin in June, and the franchise has yet to name a replacement. The organization had also been involved in trade rumors for Paul George, before he ended up in Oklahoma City.
Irving, 25, averaged a career-high 25.2 points per game for the Cavaliers last season. Irving has three years and $60 million remaining on his contract, with the option to opt out before the 2019-20 season.
Drafted by the Cavaliers with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, Irving would forfeit the ability to sign a “supermax” contract with Cleveland in 2019 if he were to be traded.
According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, four teams have emerged as preferred landing spots for Irving
ESPN Sources: On Kyrie Irving front, Cavs were given four preferred landing spots: New York, Miami, San Antonio, Minnesota.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 21, 2017