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WITH HIS OWN future with the team in doubt, LeBron James was understandably not thrilled to learn of Kyrie Irving’s request to be traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Friday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Irving asked to be traded from the Cavs in a meeting with team owner Dan Gilbert.
According to Windhorst, Irving wishes to be the focal point of a team’s attack and no longer wishes to play alongside James.
Windhorst initially reported that James was “blindsided and disappointed” upon learning of Irving’s request, then later reported that James was “devastated” by the news.
James and Irving have formed a dynamic partnership over the past three years, with both players elevating their games in the 2016 Finals to overcome a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors. Though they lost the 2017 Finals to the Warriors, once again, both James and Irving put on explosive scoring performances to keep the Cavaliers in the series.
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After losing Game 5 to the Warriors this year, Irving gave a passionate explanation of his love for working with James.
“He’s freaking awesome. As a student of the game, it would be a disservice to myself if I didn’t try to learn as much as possible while I’m playing with this guy.
“That’s the type of guy that I want to be with every single time I’m going to war, because I know what to expect, and you stand your ground, too, with a leader like that. You don’t want to take a step back. You move to the front line with a guy like that, and you want to bring your game up to another level.
“That’s what I’m going to continue to do, because I know that if we continue to be with one another and keep utilising one another, man, the sky’s the limit.”
Irving reportedly named the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Miami Heat as potential trade destinations. Irving, unlike Carmelo Anthony, who has been involved in trade talks this off-season, does not have a no-trade clause, meaning he doesn’t have final say over any trade.
Of course, the Cavs don’t have to to trade Irving at all. He is under contract for two more years and the Cavs could decide to hold onto him in hopes of repairing the relationship.
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