Hoops Habit
Fansided

7 moments in recent NBA history in need of a documentary

By Daniel Lubofsky

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs puts pressure on Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 30, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs puts pressure on Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 30, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

5. Kyrie Irving’s departure from Cleveland

Kyrie Irving wrapped his arm around LeBron James’ head as the two sulked their way to the locker room following Game 5 of the 2017 Finals. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be back and we’ll be ready to battle, again,” were the point guard’s words to the press soon after.

By the start of the 2017-18 season, Irving was a member of the Boston Celtics, gone after requesting a trade in late July.

LeBron did his best to empower the man he believed could carry the Cavs down the line. At the end of the day, the franchise would always be his, while Irving wanted to see how he’d fare under similar pressures.

The Cavs had been shopping Irving in June, a factor in his desire to play elsewhere under the belief that, per ESPN‘s Jackie MacMullan, “they didn’t want me there.”

A three-team deal Cleveland had lined up would’ve sent Irving to the Phoenix Suns while bringing in Eric Bledsoe. Paul George would arrive from the Indiana Pacers, reshuffling the basketball landscape to afford the Cavs a potentially better shot at dethroning the Golden State Warriors.

Kyrie Irving hints at return, but is there any point?. light. Related Story

Around that time, the orchestrator of that blockbuster, David Griffin, departed from the organization. Before he left, Griffin was also trying his luck at acquiring Jimmy Butler, another Hail Mary to give Cleveland some confidence in a likely rematch against Golden State.

Upon hearing of Irving’s request, James insisted to new general manager Koby Altman that Kyrie should remain in Cleveland. Altman assured LeBron that would be the case, only for the trade with Boston to be made public minutes later.

Listening to your star player seems like a no brainer, but the Cavs were placed in a tough spot. Irving threatened to have what would’ve been season-ending knee surgery had a trade failed to materialize.

As we know, the departure of his partner in crime set the stage for LeBron to depart to the Los Angeles Lakers the following summer.

Quite the ripple effects indeed.