Irving: Happiness, maximizing potential behind trade request

For the first time since reportedly requesting a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving broke his silence on the matter Thursday by not only thanking his former team and its fans, but subtly explaining his reasoning behind why he wanted out in the first place.

"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. When you get to that point, and you understand that the best intentions for you, and ultimately to being your truth, and find out what you really wanna do in your life and how you want to accomplish it, that moment comes and you take full advantage of it," said Irving on Tout.

Related - Irving thanks Cleveland: 'It will always be love and respect'

"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 and as a player perfecting their craft. I put a lot of hours in, and a lot of work into just trying to accomplish things that I have dreamt of as a kid."

Irving also gave a shoutout to his former teammates, acknowledging what they'd accomplished during his six seasons with the organization, and the "unbelievable human beings" he competed alongside.

What he didn't do, though, was mention LeBron James, who reportedly played a big part in Irving's desire to have a fresh start, as he wanted to carve out his own path away from The King.

Related - Report: Celtics' Irving 'ecstatic' about trade, playing for Brad Stevens

The deal with the Boston Celtics was finalized Wednesday, with Cleveland receiving Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected first-round pick in 2018, and a 2020 second rounder in exchange for Irving.