LeBron James Says He Never Wanted the Cavs to Trade Kyrie Irving

Earlier this week, LeBron James said that Kyrie Irving's trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics was "the beginning of the end" for the Cavs, but now he's saying that he never wanted their working relationship to come to an end this way.

Speaking with The Athletic, LeBron James said "that's not my problem," when told that Irving requested the trade because he didn't want to play with him anymore. "I never felt like I didn't want to play with him. The only thing I tried to do is give him whatever I could and more." The two made for a powerful duo together when playing for the Cavaliers, helping the team reach three consecutive NBA Finals and giving them their first championship.

Irving asked for a trade last summer, eventually getting dealt to the Boston Celtics in August, despite James reportedly being "adamant" that they don't trade the point guard.

"I think by the time it got to me he wanted to be traded, I think he was already gone," James explained. "He was already gone, and it was up to the organization to do their job and try to keep him as well. The guy still had two years left on his contract. They didn't have to give him up. It could've been repaired then. Bring him in, let's see what happens. I don't think his stock drops if he still comes to Cleveland, see what happens and at the trade deadline you could still do it then."