Kyrie Irving is a shooting guard for the Boston Celtics. He’s only 25 years old and many people think that he’ll become one of the best players in the NBA. Kyrie played his first six seasons with Cleveland. This year, he helped lead his team to their second game 7 victory over the top-seeded Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Kyrie Irving played for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2011-2017. He is one of the best players in the NBA. So, why was he traded to the Boston Celtics just before the start of this season? Irving’s trade request shocked many people because he had been playing for Cleveland since 2011! He was an All-Star every year until 2017 when injuries kept him out of several games.
Kyrie Irving stats
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James smiles as he leaves the court after Game 5 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors Sunday, June 11, 2017, in Oakland, Calif.
The Cavaliers won 137-116 to win the series 4-1.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Kyrie Irving asks Cavs to trade him
On July 7, 2017, Kyrie Irving said he wanted to be traded from his team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This came as a surprise – normally players only ask to leave teams if they are having problems with management or other players on their team. Kyrie didn’t say much about why he wanted out – but reportedly there were three reasons:
First, Kyrie thought he was a better player than LeBron James – the Cavaliers’ star player. Second, Kyrie thought that Cleveland wasn’t a good enough team to ever win a championship. And third, Kyrie had been playing on the Cavaliers for several years and wanted a change of scenery.
Cleveland’s management said they would try to keep him on their team if possible. But they couldn’t hold him against his will so they began negotiating with other teams in July 2017. Nobody seemed sure what Irving would do until mid-August when it became official: he would play for Boston this season!
Why did kyrie leave cleveland
When LeBron signed with Cleveland in 2014, it looked like an easy way to get a title – which didn’t happen. LeBron still believed that Kyrie was his best teammate, but he wanted to win too much to not trade him. There is no real proof for any of this, though…
But there are rumors Kyrie didn’t like the way Cleveland’s management handled things (like trades and having new players on the team). Maybe all this contributed to his decision or maybe it was just the third reason – wanting a change! What do you think?
What does this mean for Lebron James?
LeBron James probably won’t be playing for Cleveland next year. He has also been injured in 2017, leaving everyone guessing about what will happen next year! Stay tuned.
Conclusion
Kyrie Irving leaves Cleveland against LeBron’s wishes. Many rumors surround Kyrie’s decision. However, the consensus is that Kyrie does not believe that LeBron can lead the Cavaliers to an NBA championship. Reports say that Kyrie is tired of playing with LeBron but staying on Cleveland could mean more championships for James.