Kyrie Irving apparently no longer wants to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he reportedly asked the team to trade him this offseason.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Irving met with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert last week and asked to be traded. The star point guard reportedly wants to go to a team where he can be more of a focal point and no longer wants to play alongside LeBron James.
In a conversation with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Irving’s agent would neither confirm nor deny the report.
“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,” Jeff Wechsler said. “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.”
LeBron was said to have been “disappointed and blindsided” by Irving’s request. If the meeting with Irving and Gilbert took place last week, it probably isn’t a coincidence that a report recently indicated James is frustrated with the way things have gone in Cleveland this offseason.
Interestingly enough, there were rumblings earlier in the offseason that Irving may want to be traded if LeBron is planning to leave the Cavs again next offseason. Windhorst’s report makes it sound as though the 25-year-old wants out regardless.
