Report: LeBron James Told Kyrie Irving Wouldn't Be Traded Before Celtics Deal
Kyrie Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics last August, though the decision did not have LeBron James' seal of approval. According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, James specifically asked general manager Koby Altman not to pull the trigger on a trade:
"When then-coach Tyronn Lue, also in California at the time, found out what was about to happen, he drove out to see James and put him on the phone with Cavs general manager Altman.
"James was adamant on the call—do not trade Irving, especially to the Celtics. By the end of the call, according to four separate accounts of people present for the conversation, Altman told James the trade would not occur."
Not long after, however, the deal was made, and Irving was sent to the Celtics for Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-rounder.
James told Vardon he didn't believe that Altman lied to him, but rather suggested that Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert stepped in and forced the trade to go through.
"You realize at that point in time, take nothing from Koby, because Koby (was just named GM), but at that point in time, you realize that Koby's not the only one running the team, as (former GM David Griffin) had done, and that's why Griff was let go pretty much," James said.
According to Vardon, Cavaliers officials said that Altman gave James no assurances that Irving wouldn't be traded and added that "Altman asked James whether he would commit to the Cavs long-term if Irving were not traded, and James said no."
Regardless of how it played out, Irving's departure was the first step in the James era ending in Cleveland. Without the dynamic point guard in place, the Cavaliers still managed to reach the NBA Finals last season, though they were swept by the Golden State Warriors. James then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers over the summer, ending his second tenure with the Cavaliers.
"Everyone knows that when Kyrie got traded it was the beginning of the end for everything," James acknowledged. "It's not a secret."
Thomas, who was supposed to be the third star in Cleveland's new big three alongside James and Kevin Love, spent much of the year injured and didn't fit once he returned to the court. He was eventually traded, as the Cavaliers reshaped their roster at the trade deadline.
Still, without a third star James shouldered an immense load, playing 36.9 minutes per game at the age of 33 while averaging 27.5 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds. In the postseason he was even better, playing an incredible 41.9 minutes per game while averaging 34.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 9.0 assists.
He was Superman, though with little help, he was no match for a Superteam like the Warriors. And according to Vardon, James believed "the Warriors could not be toppled by what he had in Cleveland, especially with Irving gone and not replaced by anyone near his caliber," so he instead "chose where it would be most comfortable for his family to live and prosper" in Los Angeles.
The 9-7 Lakers are not going to challenge the Warriors this season, but they should be players in free agency come the offseason, depending upon who is available. Players like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins, Kemba Walker and Irving can all hit free agency, though there aren't any guarantees any will sign in Los Angeles.
But there's a chance, something a team like the Cavaliers—with very little cap flexibility—couldn't have offered. Once Irving was traded for pennies on the dollar, James' future in Cleveland had an expiration date.
