Kyrie Irving Sets the Record Straight: The Real Reason Behind His Cavs Exit. The truth about Kyrie Irving’s departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers and what he had to say about his time with LeBron James.

Kyrie Irving Breaks Silence on Shocking Cavaliers Exit: “It Was Just My Time to Move On”

In the summer of 2017, the NBA world was rocked when Kyrie Irving, fresh off three straight Finals appearances and a historic championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, demanded a trade. Rumors swirled about a rift with LeBron James, with many assuming Irving was tired of playing Robin to LeBron’s Batman. But now, eight years later, the Dallas Mavericks star is finally setting the record straight.

“I Love Cleveland… But It Was My Decision”

Speaking candidly on his Twitch channel, Irving reflected on the decision that stunned fans and changed the course of NBA history:

“I love Cleveland. I’m appreciative of all the things that they’ve done for me… It’s not that I disliked playing with Bron (LeBron James) at any time, it was just literally my time to move on, and that’s what people gotta accept. It was my decision.”

Irving’s comments shed new light on a move that, at the time, seemed inexplicable. After all, the Cavaliers were coming off their fourth straight Finals appearance, and with LeBron still in his prime, another title run seemed inevitable.

Trade Request Sends Shockwaves Through NBA

In July 2017, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Irving had asked Cavs GM Koby Altman for a trade, with the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves as his preferred destinations. Ultimately, Cleveland sent their star point guard to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and a coveted first-round pick.

LeBron James, meanwhile, expressed disappointment but understanding. Ahead of training camp, he told reporters he “did everything he could to help the kid,” and would have happily handed Irving “the keys” to the franchise when the time was right. Irving, for his part, kept the details of their conversations private, insisting that if such a talk happened, it was between him and LeBron alone.

“We Would’ve Won More Championships”

Irving’s departure left fans wondering what could have been. In a 2022 appearance on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast, Kyrie admitted that, with more maturity and self-awareness, he and LeBron could have built a dynasty:

“If I was in the same maturity line and understanding of who I am (now), and I look back, we definitely, definitely would’ve won more championships.”

He confessed to isolating himself from LeBron and other teammates during his final days in Cleveland—a decision he now regrets.

Life After Cleveland: A Bittersweet Journey

Since leaving the Cavaliers, Irving has struggled to replicate his postseason success. He finally returned to the NBA Finals in 2024, only to fall to his former team, the Boston Celtics, in five games.

Looking back, Irving’s journey is a testament to the complexities of stardom, the challenges of growth, and the bittersweet nature of “what if?” For fans and players alike, his story is a reminder that even the brightest partnerships can be fleeting—and that sometimes, moving on is simply a matter of timing.