The Cavaliers do not have to trade Kyrie Irving.
They do not have to capitulate to the wishes of a 25-year-old point guard who cannot become a free agent for two more years.
But repairing the damage done inside the locker room by Irving’s request that leaked out Friday would be no easy feat. The Cavs’ “All for One” and “All In” mottos were torched in an instant. The report by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that Irving wants to be dealt to a team on which he can be a focal point and not LeBron James’ wingman carries with it the presumption that personal stardom is more important to him than winning.