CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 23: Kyrie Irving
One of Kyrie Irving’s preferred trade destinations was the New York Knicks. It looks like he badly wants to go back home, according to a new report.
Kyrie Irving sent shockwaves through the NBA as soon as he requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers back in early July. Ever since then, it’s been Kyrie-mania, as media members and NBA Twitter are trying to find a landing spot for the Cavs’ point guard.
Irving already listed out four preferred destinations: San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat. The Spurs and Heat offer stable organizations — 180 degrees opposite from what the Cavaliers currently offer. The Knicks are home to Irving, who grew up in the area. The Timberwolves have young stars and a best friend in Jimmy Butler.
But according to ESPN’s Pablo Torre, Irving wants to head “very badly” to New York.
Torre went on ESPN’s First Take this morning and had this to say about the Irving-to-NY possibility.
I got a phone call and the voice on the other end of that phone call is a trustworthy person and he was saying to me that Kyrie Irving very badly wants to be a New York Knick. Kyrie Irving wants to come home.
The crazy part of all of this is that Carmelo Anthony may hold the key to the potential Irving to New York trade. Anthony is reportedly intent on going to Houston to join forces with James Harden and Chris Paul, while the Cavaliers want Kristaps Porzingis or something else of equal value in return.
So how will this end? Since the Cavaliers have Irving under contract, they can send him anywhere that gives them the best return. Irving has no say in where he lands — actually Carmelo might have a bigger say in where Irving lands. Let’s see if the Cavs’ PG returns home to New York.