Kyrie Irving: Leaving Cavaliers ‘Wasn’t About Basketball,’ But About ‘Maximizing Potential’

Shortly before the Cleveland Cavaliers sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas earlier this month, rumors began swirling that the point guard had demanded a trade because he was tired of living in LeBron James’ shadow.

Kyrie Irving Trade News

At a Celtics press conference early Friday, Irving revealed the reason for his desire to switch teams and thanked the Cavs — including James — for all the memories.

“Me leaving there wasn’t about basketball, it was more or less about creating that foundation of me in Cleveland, and then now taking this next step as a 25-year-old evolving man and being the best basketball player I can be,” said Irving, who had been with the Cavaliers since being drafted as the top overall pick out of Duke in 2011.

“It was my time to do what was best for me in terms of my intentions and that’s going after something bigger than myself and obviously being in an environment that’s conducive for my potential,” he continued. “I think that statement is self explanatory, because it’s pretty direct in terms of what my intent is, and that’s to be happy and be with a group of individuals that I can grow with.”

The Celtics sent Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick, and the Miami Heat’s 2020 second-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Irving. Miami’s second-round pick was added to the swap on Aug. 23, one day after the deal was announced, after the Cavs expressed concern over the status of Thomas’s injured hip.

Lader during Friday’s conference, the Celtics introduced 27-year-old former Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, whom Boston signed in free agency in July.

Hayward — who inked a four-year, $128 million deal with the Celtics — revealed he was supposed to join the Cavaliers in 2014, but that deal fell through when James returned to Cleveland after spending four seasons with the Miami Heat.

Irving added that he “learned so much from [James],” and also said he’s now able to “look back and you’re eternally grateful for moments that you’ve had and shared, you’re able to put peace with that journey and start anew.”

Irving then went on to thank and praise the Cavs organization.

“This was a very very challenging decision at first but after a while, when you understand and you have that confidence in yourself to understand the magnitude of what you actually can accomplish and potentially can do with other great people. And now that I’m sitting here it just echoes in terms of me just being very appreciative of not only the Cleveland fans, all of Ohio, but as well Bron [for] incorporating me into that special team that we had in Cleveland. Because three Finals in a row, all the shared memories, all the individuals, [Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith]. I could go down the line with the guys that I played with in Cleveland, they all know how I feel about them individually as well as the amount of love that we have for one another. The brotherhood exists … and it will continue.”

The Celtics and Cavaliers are set to open the 2017 NBA season when they face off at Quicken Loans Arena on Oct. 17.

Caption:CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 10, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 120-111.