Community Shootaround: Kyrie And Kobe’s Trade Requests

A bombshell report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst yesterday revealed that Cavaliers superstar point guard, Kyrie Irving, met with team officials recently and expressed his desire to be traded. Subsequent reports have indicated Irving’s request steams from his preference to be the focal point of a team’s offense and escaping LeBron James towering shadow.

It was shocking news that resonated throughout the NBA; James can be included among those surprised by Irving’s request as Windhorst noted that the four-time MVP was “devastated” to hear his teammate wants out (via Twitter). Since James returned home to Cleveland in 2014, he has taken the reigns both on and off the court, as he’s reportedly been a key influence over the Cavs’ roster moves. In Irving’s case, however, James has elected to defer to the Cavaliers and operate under their discrection, per USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt (via Twitter).

While the Spurs have been named as Irving’s preferred destination, the former Rookie of the Year also listed the Heat, Timberwolves, and Knicks as potential destinations. Yet, without a no-trade clause, Irving has no say over where Cleveland can trade him. Still, the 25-year-old could command a kings ransom on the trade market and Cleveland figures to at least keep one ear open.

Irving’s request has evoked memories of when Kobe Bryant demanded a trade from the Lakers during the 2007 offseason. The Lakers legend, speaking to Stephen A. Smith on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York, made it clear he wanted out of the situation.

I would like to be traded, yeah,” Bryant said. “Tough as it is to come to that conclusion there’s no other alternative, you know?” In the same interview, Smith pressed Bryant on if anything could change his mind, to which he response was a flat “no.”

“I just want them to do the right thing,” Bryant added.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne tweeted that Bryant asked for a trade in May 2007, it never happened, and he went on to appear in three NBA Finals (winning two). However, Irving and Bryant’s situations are completely different: Bryant wanted to win and the Lakers were off back-to-back poor seasons where he had to average over 30 PPG to keep the Lakers competitive; Irving has been to three straight NBA Finals (winning one) and would be on another championship contender if he stays in Cleveland.

However, Irving has become a secondary figure to James and despite their collective success, Irving clearly wants the same credit and responsibility. In Bryant’s case, he was already the key player; the Lakers acquiesced to Bryant’s demands and upgraded the team into a multiple-time NBA champion.

That brings up several pertinent questions: Does Irving’s request make sense for both him and the team? Can Bryant’s frustration over a poor team in 2007 compare to Irving wanting to leave a championship contender in 2017? Do any of Irving’s preferred destinations make sense for his future? Are there any moves the Cavaliers can make to keep everybody happy?

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