The Cleveland Cavaliers are still feeling the stinging effects of losing a superstar as they continue to sit at the cellar of the standings since former home-town hero LeBron James left to sign with the Miami Heat.
The Cavaliers are now facing the dilemma of losing their franchise player again even before they can get out of the funk that they are currently in as recent rumors suggested that Kyrie Irving wants out of Cleveland.
ESPN analyst Chad Ford broke the interesting development in his latest chat session with fans wherein in he revealed that Irving has been telling people privately that he wants to leave the Cavaliers.
Sources said that the All-Star point guard is disappointed that the team has made no progress towards their goal of making the playoffs since he was selected as first-overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
It was not indicated though whether Irving wants out through a trade or via free agency, but Ford noted that the Cavaliers should make a quick move to solve their puzzling situation.
"Something has to happen quick, Kyrie Irving has been telling people privately he wants out. Cleveland can't afford to lose him and LeBron. They know the urgency. I expect them to be major players at the deadline," Ford noted.
Expecting a backlash from Cavaliers fans, Ford quickly added that nothing is set in stone yet since the 21-year-old point guard is still playing under his rookie contract. NBA experts believe that it will be hard for Irving to leave Cleveland after his rookie contract under the new collective bargaining agreement.
"Don't overreact, much harder for players in their rookie contracts to leave," Ford stressed. "They have to take a much riskier path and essential sign a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. Very few do it. And the Cavs are working to try to create a winning situation and culture to make him happy."
Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant is expected to engage in discussions about potential trades before the February 20 deadline - not only to keep Irving happy with the team but also to keep his job as reports indicated that team owner Dan Gilbert is slowly losing his patience.
"Virtually every GM in the league believes that Grant will be gone this summer if things don't get turned around this season. He doesn't have much time. The thinking is that there's no way Dan Gilbert is going to let him make another lottery pick if that's the direction the Cavs end up heading," Ford added.
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