LeBron James Reportedly Letting Cavaliers Handle Kyrie Irving Trade Request

With the Cleveland Cavaliers possibly being forced to seek a trade partner for point guard Kyrie Irving, LeBron James is going to let the front office take the lead in granting the All-Star's demands. 

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Friday that Irving asked the Cavs to be traded during a meeting last week. 

Windhorst later added James is letting Cavs owner Dan Gilbert "take the lead" in any dealings with Irving about his request to be dealt. 

Windhorst noted James was "blindsided and disappointed" upon learning of Irving's request to be traded from the team that drafted Irving No. 1 overall in 2012. 

As for letting Gilbert and the front office decide how to handle Irving's request, Windhorst reported this follows a pattern James has established. 

"James is always kept aware of the franchise's moves and sometimes will reach out to potential new players to discuss the team but hasn't wanted to be a leader in those decisions," Windhorst wrote. 

The Cavs have been the best team in the Eastern Conference with James, Irving and Kevin Love as their top three players over the past three seasons. They have played in the NBA Finals every year with that trio, including winning the franchise's first championship in 2016. 

James returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and has one guaranteed year left on his contract before he can opt out next summer.