Cavaliers are crazy if they trade Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving trade request should fall on deaf Cavalier ears.

Just when you think you have seen it all in the NBA, like a top three star leave his team to play on the one who came back from three games to one down to beat him in the playoffs, here comes Kyrie Irving with a new level of self entitlement.

The Cavaliers were reportedly calling teams to see what they could get for him in a trade, which upset Irving. The disgruntled point guard then went nuclear. Please trade me now, was the sentiment. He hit rock bottom with his desire to be sent to the New-York-dysfunctional-Knicks. New York is a great basketball city, but even with Kristaps Porzingis it’s still a disaster.

News flash for Kyrie: Stars get traded all the time. Even second tier level stars. Charles Barkley was traded. So was Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, James Harden, Oscar Robertson and a host of others who were more accomplished than Kyrie. Scottie Pippen, a second banana, was rumored to be traded all the time. Pippen loathed management because of this, but kept himself together enough to win six rings with the greatest player to ever play the game.

Sound familiar?

Irving has the opportunity to play in the NBA Finals for years to come. That’s if he stays in Cleveland with LeBron James. Instead, he wants to go win 40-some odd games running his own team. Sometimes you have to protect players from themselves and their egos. The Cavs have a job here, protect the player from himself. Tyronn Lue is a coach who can connect. LeBron James can bury his disappointment in Irving wanting to play elsewhere and welcome him back. Derrick Rose can serve as a nuclear option getting some of Kyrie’s minutes, if Lue so desires.

Kyrie fits best in Cleveland. He gets the ball all the time. He gets to take the biggest shots since LeBron is more of a willing passer, then clutch scorer down the stretch. Irving has already hit the biggest shot in Cavalier history and could have a chance to hit more if he can grow up. Kyrie needs to realize basketball is a team sport and he plays on one that is in the mix for a championship every season. Most players in the NBA would love to be in his position.

For more devastating hot takes and interviews, check out my podcast on “On the Mark”.