Report: Kyrie Irving Wanted Cavaliers To Trade Him To Spurs, Knicks, Timberwolves, Heat In 2017

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Kyrie Irving wanted the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade him to the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves or Miami Heat in 2017. 

Irving requested a trade from the Cavaliers in the offseason of 2017. Cleveland traded the star to the Boston Celtics. 

“According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, Irving’s then-agent, Jeffrey Wechsler, informed Gilbert that his client preferred to be dealt to either the Spurs, Knicks, Timberwolves or Heat, with the list intentionally excluding the Celtics — the franchise Cleveland had just faced in Eastern Conference finals,” Fischer wrote. “And once Wechsler secured permission from Gilbert to contact opposing teams, sources said, he and then-Celtics president Danny Ainge engaged in frequent dialogue about Irving’s trade market.”

Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics before signing with the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason of 2019.

Boston fans hate Irving since the Duke product told them he would re-sign with them before the 2018-19 season. 

“There were days during Irving’s second year with the Celtics, after he famously told fans he planned to re-sign with Boston when he reached free agency that July 2019, when Irving walked into the facilities with a hoodie pulled over his face, side-stepping eye contact with passersby as if he were dodging defenders in the lane,” Fischer wrote. “Irving was prone to grunt and nod as he milled around the practice floor. He’d string his sneakers together while sitting in the corner. There were activities and practices Celtics figures questioned if Irving was even going to show up for, sources said, as his participation in routine team functions was never guaranteed. That same unsteady and unchecked presence followed Irving throughout his tenuous tenure with Brooklyn.”

Irving’s Dallas Mavericks face the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals. Irving will get booed every time he touches the ball in Boston. 

One of the best players in NBA history, Irving has found a home with the Mavericks. He and Luka Doncic are a deadly duo. 

Irving has career averages of 23.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Cavaliers, Celtics, Nets and Mavericks. He helped Cleveland win the 2016 title over the Golden State Warriors.