Kyrie Irving’s request for a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers became breaking news on Friday. But in reality, it seems as though this was a long time coming.
According to NBA.com’s David Aldridge, Irving made the official request before the 2017 NBA Draft in hopes of joining a different star in the East:
Another league source said that Irving made his initial trade request before last month’s Draft, in hopes of being traded to Chicago and playing with All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler. Just before Griffin and the team decided to part ways, Griffin had been working on a three-team deal that would have brought Butler to the Cavs.
While the timeline of Irving’s request isn’t too important (it does disvalue comments about Irving waiting until Butler, Paul George, and Chris Paul were off the market and suggests that Irving’s decision is not solely based on the Cavaliers’ disappointing offseason), the desire to join Butler is. You may recall that Butler was a trade target for the Cavaliers earlier this summer but was dissuaded from requesting a move there due to uncertainty about the franchise’s direction.
For one, it somewhat disproves the reports that Irving wanted to lead his own team – while Butler is far from being LeBron James, he’s still probably a better overall player than Irving at this stage. Secondly, it lends more credence to the Timberwolves as a destination for Irving, who reportedly listed them as one of his four preferred destinations.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is reporting that both Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns are pushing for the Wolves to trade for the star point guard, despite their recent acquisition of Jeff Teague. (Note that Teague cannot be traded until six months after he is signed to a new contract).
League sources told ESPN that both Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns have been doing their part to recruit Irving on the idea of playing alongside them in Minnesota, and they’ve made it known to Wolves management that they want to add the Cavs star to the mix. Butler and Irving became tight in their time playing for USA Basketball together. Towns’ father, Karl Towns Sr., and Irving’s father, Drederick Irving, are connected through the basketball scene in northern New Jersey, where they both reside.
Regardless, the Wolves will be an interesting destination to watch as the league shifts focus on finding a new home for Irving.
