Kyrie Irving Requests Trade… What’s next for the Cavaliers?

Ben Belden
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read
Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a lay up against the Golden State Warriors during the second half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph. (June 11, 2017 — Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)

The Cavs’ offseason hasn’t been the absolute smoothest ride, but the solace that the team was still poised to be the best in the Eastern Conference was soothing for fans. But that was until Friday rolled around.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, star point guard Kyrie Irving met with Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert sometime in the past week to request a trade. According to multiple reports, Irving is ready to lead his own team and escape the shadow of LeBron James.

In the meeting with Gilbert, Irving was said to have a few preferred destinations:

Adding to the fiasco, Sam Amico of Amico Hoops reported that the request could have come at the urging of Irving’s father:

Irving’s father, Dredrick Irving, has often behaved negatively about his son playing alongside James, league sources told Amico Hoops — with Dredrick Irving often shouting demands from the stands that his son, and not James, should be the [number one] option.

Despite the fact that Irving has put them in a precarious position, the Cavaliers still hold all the cards. Reports that Irving wants out certainly diminishes his trade value slightly, but the Cavaliers still hold the upper hand, as Irving is under contract until the summer of 2019 and up-and-coming teams who are looking to add a superstar for the foreseeable future will certainly be bidding for Irving’s services.

In fairness to Irving, his request doesn’t completely handcuff the Cavaliers the way that Paul George’s refusal to re-sign with the Pacers handcuffed the Indiana front office. Still, the request of a trade makes a reconciliation with the Cavaliers difficult. That being said, other stars such as Kobe Bryant have requested trades, only to return their teams to have great success. As of now, the Cavaliers seem to be in no hurry to trade Irving, hoping that maybe he will have a change of heart.

Should the Cavaliers look to move Irving, however, they should have their share of suitors.

Of Irving’s preferred destinations, a couple make a bit of sense. A pairing of Irving and Kristaps Porzingis in the Big Apple makes a lot of sense. The Cavaliers have been interested in adding Carmelo Anthony, but have been unable to work out a deal for him. Certainly, Kyrie Irving would be enough to pry Melo from New York, but the Cavaliers would likely ask for more in return for a player of Irving’s caliber.

Another one of Irving’s preferred destinations, the Miami Heat could be a potential landing spot, as the Cavaliers could unload Irving for Goran Dragic without missing too much of a beat. In addition, if a third team such as the Nuggets get involved in the trade, the Cavaliers may like the return enough to pull the trigger.

Finally, as August rolls around, signed 2017 draft picks become eligible to be traded. In the same way the Cavaliers acquired Kevin Love for Andrew Wiggins in 2014, the Cavaliers could ship out Irving for a top pick and other role players heading in to 2017.

It’s nearly impossible to guess what scenarios will play out in the coming weeks, but given the nature of how these things go, it’s difficult to see Irving return to Cleveland next season.

In turn, Irving’s trade request makes rumors of the team’s interest in Derrick Rose more likely. Rose had been in talks with the Cavaliers with a one-year deal, but met with the Lakers late last week. The Lakers can offer Rose more money, but they likely can’t offer him a starting spot, nor can they offer him a chance to compete for a title. Both are things Rose desperately needs at this point in his career.

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Ben Belden

Written by

English teacher and basketball coach. University of Dayton alumnus.

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