Report: LeBron James Wanted Cavaliers To Trade Kyrie Irving For Damian Lillard

Here goes another NBA rumor. King James wanted the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade Kyrie Irving for Damian Lillard.

The Boston Celtics would have looked a lot different than now if LeBron’s idea was paid attention to and the Cavaliers traded Irving to another team.

Bleacher’s Ric Bucher reported that King James wanted Kyrie Irving to be included in a trade deal for Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

“League sources say that when James became convinced Irving couldn’t be persuaded to stay in Cleveland, he suggested to the Cavs front office that it deal Irving to the Blazers for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. The Cavs never called the Blazers, but James’ interest has led to speculation about the Lakers trading for Lillard,” Bucher wrote in his article.

The same article also offered theories explaining how some players see the game alongside King James. “If you’ve got LeBron, you’ve got to make it all about LeBron. You’ve got to be able to coexist with that and fit with that. Who are you, where are you in your career, and how do you fit in? It’s a sacrifice, but it’s a sacrifice for winning,” Tyson Chandler said of LeBron.

“It depends on what kind of player you are. If you’re Kyle Korver, then it makes sense. Because Kyle Korver in Atlanta was the bulk of the offense, and he’s not a No. 1 option at all, not even close. So his talents benefit more from a guy who can pass and penetrate and get him open. If you’re a younger player like a Kawhi, trying to pair him with LeBron James doesn’t really make sense. Kawhi enjoys having the ball in his hands, controlling the offense, dictating the tempo with his post-ups; it’s how he plays the game. A lot of young players are developing that skill. They don’t need another guy,” Kevin Durant said.