Late last week word got out that Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cavs a few weeks ago because he no longer wants to play alongside LeBron James.
According to the report by ESPN's Brian Windhorst, LeBron was "blindsided" and "disappointed" when he learned of Kyrie's request, and Kyrie's camp reportedly believes LeBron is the one responsible for leaking the trade talk to the media.
In other words, things are not going great in Cleveland right now.
Adding more fuel to the fire, Stephen A. Smith claims LeBron would be tempted to beat Kyrie's ass if they crossed paths right now. Speaking on his radio show Monday, Stephen A said, per the Washington Post,
“I’ve had sources in LeBron James’s camp literally tell me, and I’m quoting, … if Kyrie Irving was in front of LeBron James right now, LeBron James would be tempted, quote, to beat his ass, end quote.”
ESPN's Zach Lowe reports that, at this point, the Cavs trading Kyrie Irving seems inevitable. The team believes "there is little chance of salvaging their relationship with him," but that doesn't mean they're going to just give away the 25-year old 4x All-Star.
Kyrie reportedly requested to be traded to either Miami, Minnesota, New York or San Antonio, but he's in no position to choose where he ends up without a no-trade clause.
Check out Stephen A. Smith's comments about the rumblings out of LeBron's camp below.