Editing Kyrie Irving (section)

=== The Departure to Boston and Personal Growth ===
In the summer of 2017, Irving requested a trade from Cleveland, feeling that he needed a fresh start and a larger role. The Cavaliers traded him to the Boston Celtics, where he was expected to become the centerpiece of a team on the rise. His first season with the Celtics was promising, and Irving was playing at an All-Star level before a knee injury sidelined him for the postseason. Despite his absence, Boston made an unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The following seasons in Boston were marked by inconsistency. While Irving’s skill and leadership were never in question, the Celtics struggled to find success. His time in Boston became controversial due to friction with teammates and disagreements with the team’s front office. In 2019, Irving left the Celtics in free agency and signed with the Brooklyn Nets.