NBA Players: 5 Biggest franchise-superstar fallouts in recent times

More so than any other major sports league, the NBA is controlled and influenced by its biggest stars. Superstars around the league often amount fanbases that are comparable with teams and the 2019 offseason highlighted just how much power stars such as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard wield.

Due to the high stakes of the NBA, relationships between fans, franchises, and players quickly sour, and there have been many notable fallouts over the past decade. So, with plenty to chose from, here are our top five picks for the biggest fallouts of the past decade.

#5 Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics

Kyrie Irving's move to the Boston Celtics unravelled during the 18-19 season

Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2017 after growing frustrated at playing second-fiddle to LeBron James. The Boston Celtics swooped quickly to sign one of the NBA's best young talents, and Irving finally had the responsibilities that he craved.

While injury-hit, Irving's first season in Boston was a success and back in October, the point guard told a large crowd of Boston fans that he planned to stay. An injury-free Celtics side was also among the favourites to advance from the Eastern Conference, and it appeared that Irving would finally develop into one of the NBA's biggest stars in Boston.

However, Irving's mood quickly turned, and he often found himself criticizing his young teammates as the season progressed. By the time the playoffs had rolled around, Irving was widely viewed as a toxic force in the Boston locker room, and the All-Star refused to communicate with the Celtics during the offseason.

Now with the Brooklyn Nets, Irving will once again take a back seat - this time to Kevin Durant.

#4 Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony final years with the Knicks were dominated by off the court drama

The 2013-14 NBA season was one the best of Carmelo Anthony's career as the then All-Star averaged 27.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Anthony entered the 2014 offseason as a free agent, and while the Knicks fanbase were desperate for him to remain in New York, team president, Phil Jackson infamously stated that he wasn't losing any sleep over if Anthony would leave.

Melo eventually signed a new deal with the Knicks, although the then-superstars relationship with Jackson quickly deteriorated. Over the next three seasons, Jackson and Anthony clashed repeatedly, and by the time Jackson was fired in June of 2017, Melo desperately wanted out of New York. The veteran even went as far to waive his no-trade clause, and Anthony eventually completed a move to the OKC Thunder.

#3 Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant's decision to join the Golden State Warriors was lambasted by the NBA media

Kevin Durant entered the 2016 offseason as one of the most in-demand free agents in NBA history. At 27, Durant had already established himself as one of the best players in recent NBA history, and teams were lining up to sign the perennial All-Star.

Up until that point, KD had spent his entire career with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was coming off a season where the Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead in the West Finals to the Golden State Warriors. Nevertheless, Durant was expected to remain in Oklahoma City, and he reportedly assured Russell Westbrook that he would stay over dinner. Yet, in one of the most surprising moves of all-time, KD announced that he would be leaving for the Warriors.

Durant's decision to leave the Thunder for a Warriors team that was coming off a 73-win season was lambasted by many in the NBA, and tensions were high when Durant returned to face the Thunder. However, the 2014 MVP went on to win two-titles during his three-year spell in Golden State, while the Thunder failed to win a postseason series.

#2 Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans

Anthony Davis spent seven seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans

Anthony Davis has a reputation as one of the NBA's most reserved stars, and many expected the superstar to spend his entire career with the New Orleans Pelicans. However, on the eve of the 2019 trade deadline, Davis revealed his desire to be traded to a contending team.

The Pelicans refused to trade Davis ahead of the deadline but fired general manager Dell Demps during the fallout. Upon his return to the Smoothie King Center, Davis was booed by the New Orleans fanbase, and his relationship with the fans deteriorated as the season progressed. The Pelicans also reportedly wanted to sit Davis for the rest of the season, and the centre made his final appearance in mid-March.

Nevertheless, Davis had one last send-off for the Pelicans as he sported a "That's All Folks!" t-shirt ahead of the final game of the regular season.

#1 LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (2010)

LeBron James announced his decision to Cleveland during 'The Decision'

It seemed like fate when LeBron James was selected by his hometown team in the 2003 draft. The Ohio native entered the NBA as the most exciting talent to emerge since Michael Jordan, and all signs pointed to the self-proclaimed chosen one guiding the Cleveland Cavaliers to a first championship.

However, fast forward to 2010 and James was a two-time MVP that had reached the NBA Finals just once. The 09/10 season proved especially disappointing as the Cavs fell in the Semifinals to the Celtics, and as an impending free agent, James announced that he would reveal his plans for the future during an ESPN special titled The Decision.

In front of a live television audience of almost 15 million, James announced that he would be leaving Cleveland for Miami. The Cavs were reportedly informed of James decision just minutes before the show aired, and Dan Gilbert quickly published his infamous letter that claimed that his side would win a title before his departing superstar.

LeBron jerseys burned and the fury raged among the Cavs fanbase, although James' decision was justified as he claimed two titles during his four-season spell with the Heat.