Report: Irving requested trade after learning Cavs discussed moving him at draft

More details are emerging about what pushed Kyrie Irving out of Cleveland.

A group of people within the Cavaliers organization - including front-office brass, coaches, and support staff members - assembled on the day of the 2017 NBA draft to have an impromptu discussion about Irving's future, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

The "sloppy" meeting was characterized as small talk in anticipation of what a player of Irving's ilk could fetch on the market. When the 25-year-old point guard found out about it, it was the final straw that nudged him to formally ask to be traded two weeks later.

Irving was dealt to the Boston Celtics in late August following six stellar seasons with the Cavaliers, and has since opened up about his departure. It was originally reported he wanted out because he yearned for a chance to shine as the No. 1 option on another team, rather than playing Robin to LeBron James' Batman. In his own words, Irving said his decision was about finding happiness and maximizing his potential.

He also revealed he sought advice from Kobe Bryant after being told he might be traded to the Phoenix Suns just days after the Cavs lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. That deal collapsed, but Irving had already mentally prepared to move on from the team that drafted him No. 1 in 2011.

"They didn't want me there," he said in December.

Irving averaged 21.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals as a Cavalier, hitting the biggest shot in franchise history to help lead the team to its first championship in 2016. He's led the Celtics to the second-best record in the East and 4.5 games ahead of James' Cavaliers this season.