Kyrie Irving has asked the Cavs to trade him; Lebron blindsided by trade request

[Primetime21]

Woj: LeBron's future affects Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving trade scenarios

As the Cleveland Cavaliers deliberate on deals to move All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, the franchise is operating under a self-prescribed mandate: presume a future without LeBron James.

The Cavs aren't giving up on the possibility of re-signing James next summer, but they are no longer investing blind faith in the hope he will stay. For James, a reluctance to commit comes with an emerging set of complications. Beyond Irving's decision to ask for a trade, Cleveland has determined that it's unwilling to simply be reactive to James' possible departure.

Of course, Cavaliers officials prefer to re-sign James to a long-term deal and chase titles together into his twilight, but the Cavs are treating his unwillingness to commit as a call to protect themselves long term in the Irving trade, league sources said.

Owner Dan Gilbert and general manager Koby Altman want James to commit before building around him, and James largely wants to see the Cavaliers execute a plan before committing to them.

Cleveland's case for commitment is this: We've had the highest payroll in the NBA, run luxury-tax bills north of $75 million since James' return. Trust our commitment to winning.

James' case for hesitancy is this: Accomplished GM David Griffin is gone, replaced with Altman, a young, unproven executive.

The process of building out the franchise's roster long term has accelerated with Irving's trade request. The Cavaliers have witnessed James' exit strategy twice -- once to leave Cleveland and once to return -- and the Irving trade request has left them unwilling to squander the opportunity to replenish young assets on a roster that could be crippled in a post-James Cavaliers era that is stocked with high-priced veterans.

The Cavaliers find themselves far more fixated on a young star, including New York's Kristaps Porzingis, Boston's Jayson Tatum, Phoenix's Josh Jackson and Denver's Jamal Murray, league sources told ESPN.

Cleveland is determined to get an elite young player for Irving, which means this: The trade plan that the Cavaliers would have prioritized, with James committed for the long term -- veterans to surround James and draft picks -- isn't in motion. If the Cavaliers knew they had James committed, for example, San Antonio could emerge as a more intriguing trade partner. The Spurs have interest in Irving, league sources say, and Irving's willingness to commit to an extension with the Spurs makes for legitimate win-now deal possibilities for Cleveland. Without James beyond next season, though, the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker and Danny Green hold no appeal.

This Irving trade process has been deliberate, and teams believe that the Cavaliers expect more aggressive conversations in September, closer to the start of training camps. Porzingis has emerged as a primary Cleveland target but that's a conversation that can occur only with Cleveland's willingness to unburden the Knicks of the three years and $55 million left on Joakim Noah's contract. For now, the conversation is a nonstarter for the Knicks, league sources said.

Between now and the inevitable Irving trade, Cleveland officials will make a choice on what the franchise values most -- its today or its tomorrow. Without a commitment to stay, without the presumption of a future together, LeBron James could be left in a most unfamiliar position: out of championship contention in Cleveland, counting the days until goodbye.

 

[Dr. Narcisse]

With or without LeBron a Spurs trade makes no sense. Unless LaMarcus turns back the clock about 3 years ago.

 

[Youhadasparkwhenustarted]

They aint getting Porzingis, fukk out of here

 

[Jplaya2023]

why not just keep kyrie tell him if lebron leaves we will rebuild the team around you. It's a win win for everyone. If kyrie is not happy he can then opt out. But cleveland isn't going to get a good haul for him since he stated he's not going to re sign where he's traded 2.

 

[MJ Truth]

Leonard?

Kawhi ain't passing that rock.

 

[Primetime21]

why not just keep kyrie tell him if lebron leaves we will rebuild the team around you. It's a win win for everyone. If kyrie is not happy he can then opt out. But cleveland isn't going to get a good haul for him since he stated he's not going to re sign where he's traded 2.

I guess he just doesn't want to be in Cleveland. So it looks like you trade him for whatever you can get now, or lose him for nothing.

 

[Jplaya2023]

I guess he just doesn't want to be in Cleveland. So it looks like you trade him for whatever you can get now, or lose him for nothing.

teams aren't gonna trade for a guy who won't be there in 2 years. Kyrie and Cleveland are stuck unless one side blinks. I

 

[WMG the 2nd]

teams aren't gonna trade for a guy who won't be there in 2 years. Kyrie and Cleveland are stuck unless one side blinks. I

Pelicans just did that trade tho
Rockets possibly just did that trade
Same with okc

Teams will trade for a talent it's just what bullshyt are you going to have to take back in order for it to happen. Teams losing all stars via trade aren't commanding equal value in this market. Cavs and knicks want their cake for melo/kyrie but they have no leverage

 

[Bilz]

But cleveland isn't going to get a good haul for him since he stated he's not going to re sign where he's traded 2.

Even if he is on a long term deal I think the trade market for him would be unimpressive. He's a superstar to a lot of people on the coli but I don't think many GMs would see him as a guy you'd gut your team to get. They'd all sign him if they had the necessary cap room but if they trade good players to get him, they'd just be running in place.

 

[NoMorePie]

 

[hostsamurai]

If ever there will be a player you have blind faith in it should be LeBron. There will NEVER be a better cavalier than him and I doubt, especially with Gilbert as owner, they will ever be in a better title contending position. I think it's better for them to try and retain all hope of a championship this season and going forward even if there is a good chance they collapse and start a rebuild next year.

 

[CEOHaize]

While I commend Kyrie for betting on himself if he truly wants to take that chance to actually lead a team. Especially at a time where top players are all linking up. He should wait to see if LeBron re-signs or not before he made this request. But if the man is tired of playing with LeBron more power to him.

 

[mastermind]

teams aren't gonna trade for a guy who won't be there in 2 years. Kyrie and Cleveland are stuck unless one side blinks. I

Yes they would.

Teams would trade for 2 years of a player. It makes the most sense.

 

[Jplaya2023]

Yes they would.

Teams would trade for 2 years of a player. It makes the most sense.

so would you be willing to sacrifice young talent and picks for a player who might leave in 2 years?

If you're a contender sure, but if your a young team and your not going to win anything why take the risk?

 

[mastermind]

so would you be willing to sacrifice young talent and picks for a player who might leave in 2 years?

If you're a contender sure, but if your a young team and your not going to win anything why take the risk?

Its two seasons, not one.

What is the optimal amount of time to trade for someone? 4 years left on a contract? You not being realistic.