Kyrie Irving Wants Out Of Cleveland: ESPN

CLEVELAND, OH — Kyrie Irving has reportedly requested to be traded off the Cleveland Cavaliers, so that he can become the focal point of another franchise. ESPN's Brian Windhorst broke the news on Friday, saying Irving's request was made last week in private meeting with team leadership.

The desire to depart the Cavs is at least partially motivated by Irving seeking to escape the shadow of LeBron James. Windhorst reported that James was blindsided by Irving's request.

Irving was one of the few players that made the transition from pre-James' return to post-James' return. Players like Dion Waiter and Andrew Wiggins were shipped off to other teams shortly after number 23's comeback tour with Cleveland.

Irving also cemented himself in Cleveland and sporting lore two years ago, hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. All of the goodwill generated by his long tenure in Cleveland, being drafted number one overall in 2011, and his postseason heroics, may be squandered by this shocking revelation.

Read ESPN's report on Irving's trade request here.

Meanwhile, Cleveland Twitter has already started roasting the team for its "peculiar" off-season.

Photo from Tony Dejak, Associated Press