It’s the trade request heard around the world: Kyrie Irving wants out of Cleveland.
But why would Kyrie want out of Cleveland? He’s been to the NBA Finals for three seasons in a row, won a ring in 2016, and plays with arguably the best player in the world. So why would he want out?
Kyrie Irving requests a trade from Cavs, sources told ESPN. LeBron James was blindsided and is disappointed: https://t.co/54afvYge9V
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 21, 2017
Kyrie Irving's agent, Jeff Wechsler, tells ESPN that they had meeting w/ Cavs on Irving's future with team and wouldn't comment on contents. https://t.co/ix0bQrD5TJ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 21, 2017
These are all good questions brought up to Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard who was somewhat critical of Irving for his trade request, specifically in response to reports that Irving wants a situation like Lillard has in Portland where he can be the centerpiece of a franchise.
Lillard appeared on SI Now and talked about the Irving situation, befuddled that anyone wouldn’t want to have a golden ticket to the NBA Finals every year:
“Who wouldn’t want to go to the Finals every year?” Lillard said. “I think they’ve been to the Finals the last three years. I would love to do that.”
“I don’t know because I’ve never played with LeBron,” the Portland guard added. “Just watching from the outside, you see how easy he makes the game for everybody else. I’m not sure what it’s like playing with LeBron in person but the player, I’m not sure why anybody wouldn’t want to play with him.”
Lillard does make some excellent points. LeBron the player is a tremendous sight to behold and there’s no question his abilities probably make Irving better. Whether it’s getting open for Irving to dish it to him or vice versa, there have probably been plenty of times where LeBron has made Irving a better player.
On top of that as Lillard points out, they’ve been to the finals three years in a row! If Irving and Lillard switched spots three years ago, chances are very high that Irving would have watched Lillard play in the finals the last three years.
So why on Earth would Irving want out? Well that’s an important question. If it has to do with some beef he has with LeBron that’s one thing. If it has to do with the front office and ownership’s lack of activity this offseason, that’s another.
Plenty of people would probably be on Lillard’s side in this scenario. Just look at Twitter:
I mean, if after three Finals, Kyrie Irving is jealous of John Wall and Damian Lillard, I'm not sure what the Cavs are supposed to do.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) July 23, 2017
Send him to some shit team and let him lead them to mediocrity
— John (@Believeland46) July 23, 2017
When Kyrie Irving was "The Man" in CLE before LBJ, #Cavs had a horrid record of 78-152. LeBron James was the best thing for Irving's career.
— Vern Thompson (@VernThompson) July 22, 2017
Don't underestimate how strongly the #Cavs will be lowballed on @KyrieIrving offers. Oh, and @drose is not the answer. This is major crisis.
— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) July 22, 2017
Kyrie Irving: "I want to be traded."
Dan Gilbert:
— NBA SKITS (@NBA_Skits) July 23, 2017
Irving would have no ring and no finals appearances if it weren’t for LeBron (and Kevin Love to an extent) so to come out and request a trade right now when the Cavs are arguably one piece away from another title is stunning.
Then again the NBA is a wild league and anything can happen really.