Report: Kyrie Irving Heard ‘Credible Rumblings’ LeBron James Would Leave For Lakers During Trade Request From Cavaliers

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Kyrie Irving heard “credible rumblings” LeBron James would leave for the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason of 2018 during his trade request from the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Irving requested a trade from the Cavaliers in 2017 and was traded to the Boston Celtics. 

LeBron signed with the Lakers in July 2018. 

“Irving, league sources told Yahoo Sports, considered the Cavaliers to be in flux,” Fischer wrote. “Cleveland was in conversation with former Pistons guard Chauncey Billups to become its next general manager after Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and lead executive David Griffin couldn’t agree to terms on a new contract. Irving and his representation were already hearing credible rumblings around Cleveland and James’ camp that the four-time MVP was eyeing Los Angeles in free agency following that 2017-18 campaign as well.”

LeBron and Irving were teammates on the Cavaliers from 2014-15 to 2016-17. Cleveland made three straight NBA Finals during the LeBron-Irving era, winning the 2016 title over the Golden State Warriors in seven games for the first title in franchise history. 

Irving and LeBron were a lethal dynamic duo. The Cavaliers went 132-51 in the regular season when LeBron and Irving played. 

LeBron averaged 25.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks next to Irving, while Irving averaged 22.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks alongside LeBron. 

Irving told NBA writer Mellisa Rohlin of Fox Sports that he considered reuniting with LeBron James on the Lakers.

Irving was a free agent last offseason. He re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks. 

“Everything was considered,” Irving said. “He’s a great friend of mine, a great brother of mine. We obviously played together [in Cleveland]. Everybody knows our history. But there were so many different factors in between. When it comes to business decisions, you have to ask the GMs, the presidents why certain things didn’t work out.”

LeBron wanted the Lakers to trade for Irving last season when Irving requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.

However, the Nets traded Irving to the Mavericks.