And all this time, the Cavaliers were worried about Kevin Love's cohesion with LeBron James and the rest of the team.
Kyrie Irving, the Cavs' fifth-year star guard, wants out of Cleveland, according to ESPN basketball analyst Stephen A. Smith, via Fansided.com.
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"Dating back to last year, I've been told that Kyrie Irving ain't too happy being in Cleveland," Smith stated on ESPN's "First Take." "The situation is not ideal for him. I don't know the particulars; I haven't spoken to him personally. It's something that I've been hearing for months, that under ideal circumstances he would prefer to be someplace other than Cleveland."
Irving is averaging 18.9 points per game for the Cavaliers, who are mired in a two-game losing streak entering tonight's game against the Pacers.
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He averaged 46.8 percent shooting from the floor in 2014-15, his first year as James' teammate. He also shot a career-best 41.5 percent from the 3-point stripe. He was hurt during Cleveland's postseason run and managed just one game in the NBA Finals, as the Cavs lost to Golden State in six games.
Irving scored 21.7 points per game last season, just 0.8 ppg lower than his career high of 22.5 in 2012-13. The former Duke star, however, has had his share of run-ins with James.
"He has clashed with LeBron James on numerous occasions, dating back to last year when following a blowout loss he was called out by LeBron for not passing," Fansided.com reported. "That's been a major problem for Irving, as his assist totals have never been great, and it's starting to affect the offense in Cleveland. He's also defensively challenged, which has been an issue that has shown no signs of changing."
Love, who left Minnesota to join LeBron and Kyrie in Cleveland last year, repeatedly has been rumored to have an up-and-down relationship with James, remains on the roster and is seemingly committed to helping the Cavaliers pursue and NBA title.
With the trade deadline passed, Irving and the Cavs are stuck together this season. But a parting might help both parties as Cleveland tries to figure out how to keep up in the arms race with the Warriors and Spurs.
Irving can go back to being a great scorer on a mediocre team.
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