NBA Writer Ira Winderman On WFAN: Kyrie Irving Trade Story Is Being Distorted
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There's more to the Kyrie Irving story than what is being widely reported, an NBA beat writer said Monday.
Ira Winderman, who covers the Miami Heat for the Sun-Sentinel, told WFAN's Mike Francesa that Irving did not ask for a trade because he's tired of playing in LeBron James' shadow. Instead, Irving learned the Cavaliers were shopping him in trades and asked the franchise to work with him privately and behind the scenes to ensure he was sent to place he would want to play long-term.
MORE: Schmeelk: Barring Knicks Getting Him On Their Terms, There's No Smart Trade For Irving
"Someone decided to put this thing out public," Winderman said. "This was never the plan by the Cavaliers. This was never the plan by Kyrie Irving to make something private become something public."
Winderman said he can confirm that San Antonio, Miami and Minnesota are on Irving's list of preferred landing spots. Winderman was not sure if the Knicks were actually on the list, as has been reported.
"What Kyrie said was this: Send me to a team that has stable management because you are not stable here," Winderman said. "Send me to a team that has coaching stability. I want to grow as a player."
To listen to the full interview, click on the audio player below.
