NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving allegedly doesn’t want to play for Cleveland Cavaliers
By Bryan Rose
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has said all the right things, but that might be nothing more than lip service.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, members of Irving’s ‘camp’ have expressed the former Duke product does not want to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, suggesting he wants to be elsewhere.
"There are those who even wonder whether Irving is truly worth a maximum-level contract, including some within the Cavs organization. His game has regressed a bit this season, particularly from a leadership standpoint, with his clashes with Dion Waiters making headlines, and it has raised a red flag or two in-house.And while Irving has said all the right things about staying put in public, it’s no secret that Irving’s camp has been making it known for years now the point guard would like to be elsewhere long term. No matter how much he denies it."
Irving is under contract with the Cavaliers through next season and the team holds a qualifying offer on him for the 2015-16 season, which would make him a restricted free agent assuming no extension was agreed upon.
Thankfully Cleveland has a lot of time on their hands to hopefully change the opinion of Irving, but obviously such a report isn’t good news for the future of the franchise given getting equal value in a potential trade would be nearly impossible.