Report: Dan Gilbert and David Griffin May Have Disagreed on Trading Kyrie Irving

When the Cleveland Cavaliers selected point guard Kyrie Irving with the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, he was seen as the cornerstone of the team’s rebuilding effort. Irving didn’t completely blossom until LeBron James returned to the team, yet it is now being reported that teams are inquiring about the 25-year-old All-Star. That could be something that served as the final break in the professional relationship between Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and general manager David Griffin.

In his early years, Irving struggled with injuries, but just one season ago, it was his last-minute 3-pointer that served as the game-winning points in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The fact that he’s established a strong bond with James during their three seasons as teammates seemingly made the idea of dealing him elsewhere an absurd scenario.

There’s no indication as to why Gilbert would think about dealing the guard, though Irving’s defensive liabilities and injury history are likely candidates. Irving made $17.6 million this past season and is owed $60 million over the next three years. With Griffin no longer in a position to block any such move, the status of Irving might now be shakier than it was when the season ended.