NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving Asked Cavs To Trade Him

USA Today

The NBA offseason has been crazy. Star players have been moved all over the league in trades and free-agent signings. Right when it seemed like the dust was settling, Kyrie Irving has reportedly asked the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade him.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Irving has notified the team he wants out of Cleveland:

Kyrie Irving is ready to end his run with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as league sources told ESPN that the guard has asked the team to trade him.

Irving’s trade demand has come out of nowhere but isn’t all that surprising with everything that has gone on in Cleveland as of late. As if losing out on trades to acquire Jimmy Butler or Paul George, the team parted ways with general manager David Griffin and has seemingly rubbed LeBron James the wrong way once again.

Over the last few weeks, the rumors have run rampant about LeBron strongly considering leaving the Cavs after next season. LeBron can and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer with his eyes said to be set on the Los Angeles Lakers.

With LeBron’s future in Cleveland being uncertain and all the dysfunction within the Cavs organization, Irving may have seen the writing on the wall and wants to move on. The question now is whether the Cavs will be able to move him and get equal value in return for one of the best point guards in the league.

According to Windhorst, Irving has a few preferred destinations:

Among several possibilities discussed in Irving’s meeting with the Cavaliers, the San Antonio Spurs were raised as a preferred destination, league sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Other teams Irving said he’d be willing to join were the New York Knicks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources told ESPN.

The fact Irving wants to go to San Antonio above all is interesting. The Spurs will be looking for Tony Parker’s successor and Irving would fit the bill. San Antonio could inch closer to the Golden State Warriors with the addition of Irving if they don’t give up too much to get him.