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Darron Cummings / Associated Press
LeBron James recently told Joe Vardon of The Athletic that Kyrie Irving's trade was "the beginning of the end for everything" in Cleveland, but the Los Angeles Lakers superstar made it clear that he did not want that the dynamic duo splits as he did.
"That's not my problem, if that's the case, it's certainly not my problem," said James at the Irving exchange request, because the playmaker did not want to play with him anymore, according to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. "I never felt that I did not want to play with him, the only thing I tried to do was give him what I could and more."
Together, James and Irving helped the Cleveland Cavaliers reach three consecutive NBA Finals and win the first franchise championship. They played a key role in helping the Cavs become the first team to overcome a 3-1 hole in the final in 2016, while James offered a clutch pack and Irving delivered the dagger.
Nobody will ever forget what the two have accomplished together, but no one will ever forget how their journey has ended.
Irving requested an exchange in the summer of 2017 and was treated at the Boston Celtics in August. As Vardon noted, James was "inflexible", the Cavs do not negotiate Irving, especially not in Boston.
"I think at the time that it happened, he wanted to be exchanged, I think he was already gone," James told Lloyd. "He was already gone, and it was up to the organization to do its job and try to keep it too.The guy was still two years old on his contract.They were not to give it up, that could have brought it, let's see what happens, I do not think his stock will go down if it's still coming to Cleveland, see what's going on and the deadline exchanges, you can still do it then. "
After the trade, Irving said at the introductory press conference that he had not spoken to James about his move:
He then discussed the question on First take:
James stated that prior to last season, he only had to wonder what he could have done otherwise:
NBA TV @NBATV
. @ KingJames on Kyrie Irving asking to be traded @cavs. #NBAMediaDay https://t.co/rlN6AXrgMw
James and the Cavs eliminated the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals last season while Irving was out of the field due to a knee injury. Cleveland, however, was swept to the NBA Finals by the Golden State Warriors.
Then James also chose to leave town to sign with the Lakers in July.
James and Irving spent an incredible three years together and gave basketball fans incredible memories. But now they are on both sides of the league's most historic rivalry, which is entirely appropriate given the end of the match.
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