The trade rumors are out in rapid fire this week. With all of the talk about the Cleveland Cavaliers looking to trade for Jimmy Butler or Paul George, there has been a lot of speculation as to what will happen to others on the team. For instance, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving’s names have been brought up in those rumors. However, on the flip side, there has been talk about LeBron James potentially leaving the Cavaliers at some point. If and when that happens, Irving is reportedly telling people around him that he will want to be traded, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
All-Star Kyrie Irving has been contacting some of his former Team USA teammates and letting them know that he might be willing to push for a trade, especially if he feels the Cavs’ run could end quickly with James able to opt out after next season.
If LeBron were to leave the Cavaliers, it would be the second time Kyrie Irving would be the top dog for Cleveland. Irving played without LeBron for his first three seasons in the NBA, and the team’s record in those three years was enough to get them top lottery picks in the draft. It’s understandable as to why Uncle Drew would not want to be on a team without LeBron James.
LeBron has one guaranteed year left on his contract, and then one more year as a player option. If James really does want to unite the banana boat crew, he will have to wait another year, and the Cavaliers will have a year to persuade Kyrie Irving into becoming the franchise cornerstone.
