Rumors are circulating around the NBA at this moment that despite latest speculations that LeBron James might leave the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason, it is actually Kyrie Irving who could be gone this summer.
Sir Charles In Charge's Michael Saenz said that "despite all the noise that is making its way out of Cleveland" about a potential LeBron second exit from the Cavs, it is highly probable that the four-time league MVP will be the one staying and Irving "is going to be the one on the move this summer" to mend the rumored locker room turmoil.
Saenz's article also noted that James relationship with Irving and Love "isn't what his relationship was with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh" when he was winning championships out in South Florida, which could be the main reason why Cleveland is not breaking through with their title aspirations.
Several NBA analysts believe that there is a "real disconnect" between James and Irving not only off the court but on it as well, which is actually worse. In other words, they do not make each other better when they are playing together unlike the two-time champion's dynamic with Wade in Miami.
The report continued to say that "LeBron won't stand another season with Love and Kyrie if the Cavs fall short of winning the NBA Championship again". Thus, because James will unlikely leave his hometown Cleveland for the second time in his career (it would be career-ending if he does, though), then it would Irving and Love that has to move out for the franchise to move forward.
With that, Fansided had predicted two possible destinations for the disgruntled Irving, namely the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.
With the Knicks, Irving has the chance to create a new Big Three with team leader Carmelo Anthony and super rookie Kristaps Porzingis. It seems like the 23-year-old FIBA World Cup MVP could gel better with Anthony and Porzingis than he can with James and Love as the initial two players do not demand the ball as much as the latter two.
With the Lakers, Irving will have the opportunity to lead a young core group of players after Kobe Bryant retires this summer. The Cavs may demand one or two of LA's young stars, but still the idea of Irving with either Jordan Clarkson or D'Angelo Russell in the backcourt could still put a wide smile in the face of the Lakers' fans.