Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving might be ready to end his time in Cleveland if LeBron James departs in free agency after next season.
As rumors continue to swirl regarding the Cavs' interest in trading for the Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler and the Indiana Pacers' Paul George, a report by Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times Tuesday included Irving in the uncertainty.
According to the Sun-Times, Irving has contacted some of his fellow members of Team USA and told them he might be willing to push for a trade to join them.
Irving has spoken on more than one occasion this season about how he doesn't know how much longer he'll be fortunate enough to play with James. The other member of the Cavs' Big Three, Kevin Love, is presumably the primary bargaining chip in deals for George or Butler.
The Sun-Times speculated that Irving could see the Cavs' run of three consecutive NBA Finals appearances ending quickly in the wake of Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert electing to part ways with general manager David Griffin on Monday. The Cavs were 21-45, 24-58 and 33-49 in Irving's first three seasons in Cleveland before James returned and Irving would want no part of a similar rebuilding scenario.
Citing sources in Cleveland, the Sun-Times reported that James and Irving have reached out to Butler directly and through back channels and liked what they heard from the Bulls' three-time All-Star. One source told Cowley that Butler would push the Bulls to make the trade happen. Butler has told the Bulls repeatedly in the past year that he didn't want to be dealt.
The Cavs and Bulls would need a third team because the Cavs don't have the assets the Bulls seek. The Cavs have no picks in Thursday's draft. The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers have been mentioned in reports as possible partners.
