Cleveland Cavaliers should be blamed for trading Kyrie Irving

Next time when trade discussions are brought up maybe the Cleveland Cavaliers will act differently.

When point guard Kyrie Irving played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, he accomplished many goals other players only can dream of. Most notably winning an NBA championship.

After being selected first overall, Cleveland was going to be Irving’s team. That was of course until F LeBron James returned.

As successful as he was in NE Ohio, all good things come to an end but in Irving’s case did it really have too? According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “what if” trade discussions regarding Irving led to the now Boston Celtic to make a trade request out of Cleveland.

From #TheJump: you know how I keep saying the Cavs didn’t *have* to trade Kyrie? Well, it turns out they didn’t even have to get that point - according to @mcten the tipping point in Kyrie asking for a trade was a “sloppy” conversation in the front office.https://t.co/myCDVN7rYK
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 23, 2018

"On the day of the NBA draft back in June, just days after Cleveland parted ways with former GM David Griffin, a robust Cavs contingent made up of front-office personnel, coaches and team support staff members held an impromptu, “what if?” discussion about Kyrie Irving’s future”."

"The talk got back to Irving, multiple team sources told ESPN, and that served as the tipping point that led to Irving formally requesting a trade a little more than two weeks later."

Now, plenty has been discussed why Cleveland made the deal with Boston and why Irving wanted a fresh start. Adding this news though puts a lot in perspective. Mind you, I am not complaining Cleveland’s return for the Duke product.

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However, had the Cavaliers not discussed hypothetical trade options, perhaps things would be better between Irving and the team and Irving would still be part of the organization. Likely wishful thinking but you never know.

On the other hand, Cleveland needed to discuss Irving options for the long-term future of the franchise.

Every team at different times over the years discuss such hypotheticals. Depending on the player will dictate to the degree of how serious they are about making such a move and how long those discussions last.

While Cleveland is better off having moved on from Irving, their former draft pick didn’t have to act the way he did and request a trade so soon afterwards. Then again, Cleveland’s approach to everything too was not handled properly.

Key personnel should have adjusted their approach more professionally. Go to the player and state your situation and go from there. So, in a way both are in the wrong but more so the Cavaliers.

Next: 5 things the Cavs must do to make it to the finals

There’s no going back now but if Cleveland could change the way they approached their options, along with discussing him, would they? I would say so but to what degree is the hard part.

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