Kyrie Irving‘s decision to ask for a trade isn’t a betrayal of LeBron James, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Irving is aware of the rumors that James might leave for Los Angeles when he becomes a free agent next summer. The All-Star point guard is concerned about the roster he would be left with if that happens, which he explained to team owner Dan Gilbert when they had their meeting.
Wojnarowski explains that the Cavaliers have been making personnel decisions to find players who complement James in a methodical, half-court style. Those players wouldn’t easily transition to an up-tempo approach that would make sense if Irving becomes the focal point. The team has given big-money, long-term deals to Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith, clients of Klutch Sports like James, that would clog the team’s cap space and slow a potential rebuilding project if James leave.
Irving has two seasons left on his contract, along with a player option for 2019/20. He is worried about being stuck on a non-competitive team if James is suddenly gone and has seen from this summer’s Paul George situation how difficult it can be to trade a player who is close to free agency.
So Irving decided to make his move now, which Wojnarowski notes is a way of exercising the power for NBA stars that James helped to create.
Don’t think this is right. My man wants to leave Cleveland to come to the NYK. That’s not because he thinks NY are front runners for a chip this year. He wants to be the focal point. He’s 25 still in his prime and doesn’t like being overshadowed by LBJ. Like he said he learned from Lebron a lot. Now imagine how much he wants to carry his own team to a championship (with him being the star).
Well Kyrie and Porzingis is a solid core to build around, and if they believe THJ can take another step forward that’s a solid start. With how weak the east is that could be a 6 or 7 seed.
Melo too though I don’t see how he isn’t included in the deal. Unless it’s like Lee, Noah, Ntlikina and a first, which is feasible. Nothing wrong with a big 3 of Kyrie, Melo, and KP with a decent surrounding core. That might win a playoff series
Why would the Cavs take Noah?
I thought Kyrie made the max but he doesn’t. Lee, Ntilikina, O’Quinn, ’18 first unprotected, and ’20 first unprotected? Noah was only to match salaries but you don’t need include him since Irving isn’t maxed.
The Cavs are not jammed up, they don’t have to do a weak trade like that. They don’t even have that many roster spots available.
You think 4 35 guys who will barely play and are signed at the minimum are a reason to not take on players?
More like, that’s not enough return. Your plan does not give up either Melo OR Zinger. Hopeless. Irving should deliver all-star talent in a trade, with about a dozen other interested trade partners, or– he finishes his contract.
Ntlikina can’t be traded till Dec so you can’t add him he already signed his rookie contract so people need to stop adding him
They can just wait to finalize it. Like what happened with Love for Wiggins.
Did you not read the article? They said a team constructed around lebron. Knicks are centered around kyrie and would have cap space going forward. Cavs without lebron are strapped for cash and would be without lebron and not a contender.
still why would the cavs want noah? he probably has one of the worst contracts in the league, the cavs don’t want that pos
let the inmates run the asylum.
This isn’t clever, just rude.
elaborate how is this rude? basketball is the only pro sport in NA with these super teams. while many players in baseball and hockey have no trade clauses or can block certain trades to teams, in no other sport do you see guys basically saying publicly I will only go to these teams. and while I admit this is mostly owners faults for handing contracts out that contain various clauses, it’s still letting the inmates run the asylum.
He’s saying it’s rude, not that it’s not true.
I was surprised to see San Antonio was one of his preferences. He’d have to check his ego at the door if he’d want to play there. And he’s not going to upstage Leonard, either.
Maybe he just wants to win…
If that’s the case, then why is he leaving a team that has been to the finals in three straight years?
So he doesn’t necessarily want to be the star of the team but he wants the team built and ran in a way that is conducive to his style of play.
Makes sense. And that explains why he named the Spurs. He’d fit right in there.
He’s not anywhere close to fitting in with San Antonio. In fact, he’s the antichrist to how the Spurs play under Pop. You know, defense, passing, setting up a play for others…
I meant that the Spurs would be good for him, not necessarily that he’d be good for the Spurs.
I could picture him in San Antonio out of all options the easiest because the decline of Parker and Manu seems to be opening a door. Kawhi is great and Aldridge is good but they need a great point guard to compete with GS and Houston I’m not sure that DeJounte Murray is the guy
Spurs don’t have the assets to acquire him. I seriously doubt the Cavs want a package centered around a unmotivated and out of shape LaMarcus Aldridge.
I didn’t say they did I just think that would be the best team match for him
The Cavs had Danny Green once before and historically, despite all the ex-Cavs in the NBA, they don’t have second-time players on board. And Aldridge plays KLove’s position.
The most likely one-for-one Irving trade would be for DCousins and that would be surprising.
IMO the Cavs should look for a dominating paint player who could free up KLove and have his back defensively. They don’t absolutely have to have a Irving-level PG replacement. Their defense is not up to the level it was when they won the title with Mozgov patrolling.
People talking like this guys ego is out of control or something. I don’t get that from him. I’m sure he’s got an ego the same as anyone who’s as good as he is but his motivation to get out before Lebron makes sense. Lebron takes the small term deals, demands everything be built to his liking and then if the end product isn’t how he envisioned it he pulls the chute and takes off to play somewhere else? How is that fair to Kyrie to be left with JR smith and TT? If you’re a middle of the road player you have no better options than attach your cart to Lebron and hope he keeps you around for the ride but if you’re a stud like Kyrie getting played like that isn’t an appealing situation.
Completely whole heartedly agree
Blah blah I know everything Irving thinks Cuz o read the Internet. Shut up nerds
This article leads me to believe it was LeBron James that leaked Kyrie’s request to Dan Gilbert. Therefore I’m not believing much of what Woj has to say on this topic. And I’m not saying Woj isn’t writing anything that wasn’t told to him by the James regime. Rather, for good or bad, Kyrie was sick of the James Drama. I can believe Kyrie told James he wanted to be the top dog as a reason instead of telling him the truth and that’s that Kyrie can’t stand James’ control over the team that was once his.
Alright there tinfoil
In a related story the Earth is still not flat
That’s bs. Dumb reasoning if that’s why. He has 2 years left. One of those two years will probably be spent in the NBA finals, so if I’m in the NBA I’d trade a ooor second season to get back to the finals. He wants out because he can’t take lebron whining about the players around him not being good enough as they are. 3 years he’s heard kyrie and those guys aren’t good enough. Championship chances are great but he got his ring. Now he wants to go be happy and enjoy his career
If he wants to be the man why are you naming certain teams you wanna play for smh send his ass to a bumass team, all he care about is scoring
If he comes to the spurs the spurs would win with out a dought kawhi Rudy gay lamarcus dejonte
Ok I’ll chalk up this silly extrapolation to yours to your username.
LeBron is not leaving. WHY! Would he go
To the west, when the east is so weak.
Even w/ Hayward the celtics are still 2nd
Best team!
come to Miami kyrie