Kyrie Irving's desire to leave Cleveland was reportedly so great he threatened to have surgery midway through the 2017-18 season to force the Cavaliers' into making a deal.
Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com reported Irving threatened to first sit out training camp and then undergo surgery that would keep him out most—if not all—of the season. The report says Irving needs a clean-up procedure on his right knee, in which he suffered a broken kneecap during the 2015 NBA Finals. That procedure will in all likelihood be done this offseason.
This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.