In the summer of 2017, Kyrie Irving made a surprising trade request to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers, just one year after the team‘s historic 2016 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA Finals victory and comeback against the Golden State Warriors. The move marked a significant turning point in Irving’s career as he sought to establish himself as a leading star away from the shadow of LeBron James. This split remains a critical moment in NBA history and has generated much discussion over the years.
Irving’s decision was driven by his desire for personal growth rather than dissatisfaction with playing alongside James, a common misconception that grew after the trade. During a recent Twitch stream, Irving revisited the events surrounding his trade and clarified that it was simply the right time for him to move on from Cleveland.
The Real Reasons Behind Irving’s Trade Request
Irving described playing with LeBron James as a unique experience filled with immense pressure and high expectations. He explained that sharing a roster with a talent like James brought intense media scrutiny and complex dynamics off the court.
When you’re playing with someone like [James], or somebody you like to compare him to, it’s a different animal,
Irving said.
It’s a different journey; you’re automatically expected to be at the top of the league. Every time you play with [James], it’s going to be a lot of media attention, a lot of narratives, spun narratives, politics, a lot of s— that people don’t see in front of the camera. And for me, I was just a young person trying to figure it out. It’s not that I disliked playing with [James] at any time; it was just literally my time to move on.
He added:
I would have loved to choose the franchise I wanted to go to… I would have loved to develop next to some of my favorite players… It’s not that I dislike playing with [LeBron] at any time. It was just literally my time to move on.
— Kyrie Irving
Early Career Challenges Shaping Irving’s Perspective
Looking back to the start of his NBA journey, Irving revealed struggles from his early years in Cleveland prior to LeBron James’ return. He admitted to developing undesirable habits during losing seasons, which shaped his mindset and approach to the game.
I would’ve loved to choose the franchise I wanted to go to,
he said.
I would’ve loved to develop next to some of my favorite players. Being a young player, when you’re on a team that’s not winning a lot of games, it’s a lot of bad habits that form, and that’s what ended up happening to me when I was very young. I had a lot of bad habits. I was not a winner; I was not a good loser at all. I take my accountability; I had a lot of bad habits. That came from losing games and trying to get buckets all the time. I know it may have been beautiful for everybody to watch and get all the highlights and accolades, but all I really wanted to do was win.
Irving’s Lasting Legacy with the Cavaliers
Despite the complicated exit six seasons later, Irving left a strong mark on the Cavaliers. He earned four All-Star selections and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2015. His most iconic moment came during the 2016 NBA Finals when he made the decisive shot in Game 7 against the Warriors, one of the most memorable plays in league history.
The trade to the Boston Celtics gave Irving the chance to step into a leading role, a move he had sought for years. After Boston, he went on to play for the Brooklyn Nets and now the Dallas Mavericks, but has yet to recapture the championship success he experienced in Cleveland.
What This Split Means for Irving and the Cavaliers
Irving’s departure symbolized a complex chapter in both his own career and the trajectory of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise. While the split appeared messy at the time, Irving’s recent comments shed light on the personal and professional growth behind his decision.
Looking forward, this reflection highlights how a player‘s career path and legacy can hinge on crucial moments of change. For the Cavaliers, the post-Irving era includes rebuilding efforts to return to championship contention, as other franchise stars and team dynamics continue to evolve in a competitive Eastern Conference.