Irving likely to sign new deal in summer but doesn’t mean he’s happy.
According to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving doesn’t want to stay with the organisation which could force trade talks.
Cleveland are likely to offer their star point guard a new contract this summer which will be the first extension to his rookie contract, and while he is making around $5.6m this year, he is expected to make more than $14m next season.
Essentially, there would be little sense in Irving turning down that money, and while he does lock in to a new deal, he may ask for an opt-out after three seasons, similar to what LeBron James did when he left the franchise to join the Miami Heat.
Windhorst insists that he has strong sources that have told him the 22-year-old is not happy in Cleveland, and he has been putting it out there for years that he would be open to the possibility of moving elsewhere if the situation presented itself.
“The truth is [Kyrie’s] camp has been putting out there for years – years – that he doesn’t want to be in Cleveland. That they don’t want him in Cleveland. He doesn’t like Mike Brown. He didn’t like Chris Grant. He doesn’t like Dion Waiters. He’s already gotten a General Manager fired. He might get Mike Brown fired.”
Windhost also ruled out the possibility of James moving back to Cleveland in the near future and believes that even if he did, the organisation will not sell the potential of playing alongside Irving as they could be forced into a situation of listening to trade talk if the point guard is clear that he wants to leave.
It sounds as though there are real problems for the Cavaliers moving forward and they have several decisions to make in the summer which could shape their long-term future.
Irving is likely to still be there next year, but it remains to be seen for how long with many expecting him to jump ship at the first opportunity.
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