A day after Kyrie Irving was officially sent to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, he posted a video thanking the entire city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers for his six seasons with the club."I still can’t believe just the feats that we reached in a six-year span and I’m truly grateful and I’m thankful ... this is a special thank you to Cleveland. I love all you guys' support and all you guys' love over the years I was in Cleveland, and I say that because I know the journey continues from this point on. There will be nothing but love that I have for the organization and what we got to be a part of," Irving said.The Celtics sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round draft pick and a 2020 second-round pick to the Cavaliers in exchange for the 25-year-old superstar. Irving had famously demanded a trade from Cleveland back in July, which he admitted was a tough decision for him."It's hard to make videos like this because you understand the magnitude of decisions that you make in your life can affect a lot of people all at once," Irving said, seemingly referring to his trade request. "When you get to that point and you understand that the best intentions for you and to be in your truth and find out what you really want to do in your life and how you accomplish it.”There have been many rumors regarding why Irving demanded a trade, most notably surrounding co-star LeBron James, but Irving made sure to point out that there were no hard feelings toward the organization or anyone in it and that he was looking for a situation where he could be happiest.
"That moment comes and you take full advantage of it, and there are no other ulterior reasons other than being happy and wanting to be somewhere where you feel like it's an environment that's conducive for you maximizing your potential as a human being," the 25-year-old point guard explained.
He also posted a thank you note on Instagram as well.
Irving made four All-Star teams and was a main part of the Cavs’ first-ever championship-winning team in 2016. Now, he will join one of the best rosters in the NBA alongside Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and a slew of young, talented players under head coach Brad Stevens in Boston.
It was a classy end to what has been a drawn-out, dramatic spectacle in Cleveland this summer. While there were undoubtedly some ugly details left out, it seems as though Irving is ready to move on and look towards the future, as he officially closed the door on the first chapter of what should be a Hall of Fame NBA career.