Seeking an opportunity to lead a franchise instead of being regarded as LeBron James' sidekick, Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving asked owner Dan Gilbert to be traded last week, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Friday.
James was "blindsided and disappointed" when he learned of Irving's request, sources told Windhorst, who wrote that other teammates have since learned of Irving's intentions.
According to Windhorst, James is going to let Gilbert and the Cavs' front office take the lead in dealing with Irving's demand.
The Knicks, Timberwolves, Heat and Spurs (led by Kawhi Leonard, third in this year's MVP voting) were trade destinations Irving gave the Cavs, according to ESPN. Irving played high school basketball in Elizabeth, N.J. and his father Drederick still lives in the area. The Knicks are seeking a trade partner for 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony, who is close friends with James.
According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs had a trade offer on the table for Irving before the June 22 draft, but were unaware of Irving's feelings at that time.
Irving told Sports Illustrated's Maggie Gray on Tuesday that the Cavs were "in a peculiar place." Attending a Fashionable 50 event in Los Angeles put on by SI, Irving said, "The best thing we can do is handle things with class and professionalism. Obviously we have a great owner that's willing to spend a little money on guys that he believes in. At this point, we just see what happens throughout the summer."
There are rumors that James will leave the Cavs after next season to join the Los Angeles Lakers. Gilbert parted ways with general manager David Griffin on June 19. Griffin has not been replaced, with Koby Altman acting as interim GM. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday that the hiring of Altman as the new GM is "imminent."
Irving is under contract with the Cavs through the 2019-20 season but can opt out after the 2018-19 season. He signed a five-year, $94 million extension with the Cavs in the summer of 2014 before James made the announcement he was coming home. Irving's salary for next season is $18.868 million and he is still owed more than $60 million in his guaranteed deal.
Irving, 25, the Cavs' first overall pick in 2011, is a four-time All-Star. He made the winning shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors that ended Cleveland's 52-year championship drought. He has his own "Uncle Drew" commercials for Pepsi Max and in June was selected for the cover of the NBA's 2K18 video game.
Behind the efforts of James, Irving and Kevin Love, the Cavs have been to three consecutive Finals, losing to the Warriors in June and also in 2015.
Irving reached career highs in scoring (25.2 points per game), field-goal percentage (47.3) and free-throw percentage (90.5) last season. In the playoffs, his 25.9 points and 90.5 percent from the line were career-bests.
Irving's agent, Jeff Wechsler, would not confirm Irving's trade request to Wojnarowski.
"Kyrie and I had a meeting with Cavs leadership where we discussed many different scenarios in reference to Kyrie and his future with the team," Wechsler told Wojnarowski. "The basis of those discussions and what went on in those discussions are between the Cavs and us. We are respectfully going to keep those private."
Irving's request clarifies why the Cavs are reportedly in talks with free agent Derrick Rose, who is coming off a disappointing season with the New York Knicks. They have already signed backup point guard Jose Calderon, 35, in free agency.
As for Altman, Wojnarowski reported he has been Gilbert's focus since Chauncey Billups turned down a reported five-year contract to head the Cavs' basketball operations. Canton Charge GM Mike Gansey is expected to be promoted to assistant GM, with a "top-level, experienced assistant GM" also to be added, Wojnarowski said.
