While discussing his trade request from the Cleveland Cavaliers that led to him being sent to the Boston Celtics in 2017, Irving explained that he grew wary of the extra attention that comes from playing alongside legendary forward LeBron James.

Irving went from being the favorite child and No. 1 pick in Cleveland to the No. 2 option next to LeBron, and on some nights the No. 3 option next to peak Kevin Love. That changed the dynamic for Irving, who was entering his fourth NBA season when LeBron decided to return to Cleveland from Miami.

When Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in July 2017, it sent shockwaves around the NBA. It came just a year after the Cavaliers pulled off the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, climbing back from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors to capture the franchise's first championship.