When Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers once again for the Los Angeles Lakers, it gained poor reaction from many fans as well as the sports analyst. Kevin Durant was even compared to him when the 30-year-old Washington native departed Oklahoma to join the Golden State Warriors. But there's actually more to the NBA trade after his former Cavaliers teammate Kyrie Irving joined Boston Celtics.
In Joe Vardon's article for The Athletic published on Monday, James told him that he was adamant in a possible trade on Irving from the Cavs to Celtics. "Everyone knows that when Kyrie [Irving] got traded, it was the beginning of the end for everything," he told Vardon. "It's not a secret."
Irving was previously rumored to have asked Cavs executives that he wanted to leave the team despite the fact that Lebron James, his greatest ally on the court, was still signed with them. Apparently, the bosses responded to his wishes and brought him the Boston Celtics as his landing spot alongside Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets' 2018 first-round pick.
It is said that James spoke with Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman at the time when the trade was about to set place and vehemently told him not to give Irving away of which the GM assured him that it's not happening. Unfortunately, a few minutes later on August 22, 2017, news broke that the Cavs is sending Irving away with his other teammates to Celtics.
At his jersey-signing event in California, Lebron James learned the news to his disappointment where he "dropped the pen and slumped in his chair." Then he realized that Altman can't just decide alone as he wasn't the only person who was managing the Cavs.
However, the Cavs denied the claim that Altman assured James that there a trade is not happening for Irving, per Vardon. The GM asked the four-time MVP instead if he would want to sign a long-term contract with Cleveland Cavaliers if Irving stays with them of which he reportedly rejected.
Of course, everyone knows the partnership on the court between James and Irving. They do play remarkably together, but being a sidekick to a Hall of Fame player, Irving was firmed to make a banner for himself and joined Boston Celtics.
Lebron James helped the Cavs get their first championship in 2016 after many years of joining other teams in the backstage. It was all worth it.
