Kyrie Irving shocked the NBA world when he requested to be traded away from LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers just one year removed from winning a championship. In the moment, most thought Irving was insane for not wanting to play alongside James anymore.
It had been the first time that any player had publicly not wanted to be teammates James, particularly one of Irving’s caliber. Cavaliers GM Koby Altman, who at the time had been hired just two days after the request, granted Irving his wish by sending him to the Boston Celtics.
Cleveland received a draft pick and other players, including Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder.