Cavaliers diehards were hit with a wave of nostalgia when members of Cleveland’s iconic 2016 championship team reunited in Scotland. Nearly a decade after delivering the franchise’s first NBA title, LeBron James, J.R. Smith, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Channing Frye, and Richard Jefferson spent several days together reliving old memories. But for a fanbase that still associates the 2016 title with one of the greatest backcourts in NBA history, one absence stood out immediately: Kyrie Irving.

The speculation quickly snowballed into theories that Irving may not have been invited. That’s when Smith stepped in and shut down the narrative himself. Responding to a comment on Instagram, Smith wrote:

“Missing none. He was invited and ghosted us all. So stop with that bs.”

With one sentence, Smith transformed a feel-good reunion story into a talking point about the one member of the championship core who never showed up. More importantly, he made it clear that Irving’s absence wasn’t the result of exclusion, it was a choice.

That distinction matters because Irving’s place in Cavaliers history remains unique. Alongside LeBron, he formed the star partnership that powered Cleveland’s historic 3-1 comeback against the Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals. Yet just a year later, Irving requested a trade out of Cleveland, ending a partnership many believed was capable of producing multiple championships.

Irving himself has acknowledged that possibility. During a 2019 appearance on I Am Athlete, he admitted that with greater maturity at the time, he and LeBron likely could have won more titles together. That’s part of why his absence from a reunion centered on the franchise’s defining achievement drew so much attention from fans.

If Kyrie were there, LeBron and Kevin Love wouldn’t be the only active players in this reunion. As it were, the retired players like Smith and Frye were joking about their post-NBA fitness compared to Mr. Conditioning, King James.

While Irving’s absence generated plenty of sudden friction online, the rest of the championship roster chose to pay the snub no mind. They were completely into their luxurious, high-flying itinerary across the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands, giving fans an inside look into the reunion.

LeBron James & Co. reveal luxurious reunion without Kyrie Irving

The trip itself was even bigger than many fans initially realized. Before heading north to Scotland, the group reportedly spent time in London, enjoying wine tastings near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London while making luxury watch-shopping stops that included Rolex and Audemars Piguet’s recently opened AP House.

Former Cavaliers swingman Richard Jefferson, who was notably absent during the first updates of the vacation, pretended to be salty under the same post where Smith responded to the Kyrie inquisition.

“Thanks for the invite,” was RJ’s sarcastic reply for missing their golf outing. But he was purely joking. Even fans knew he was occupied as the ESPN announcer for the NBA Finals.

Once reunited, the group traveled into the Scottish Highlands, where the itinerary became increasingly extravagant. Their golf tour reportedly included Castle Stuart at Cabot Highlands before continuing to Loch Lomond, with helicopter rides helping the former teammates move between portions of the trip in style.

The squad has spared absolutely no expense during their overseas reunion, treating fans to glimpses of a jaw-dropping vacation itinerary.

Kevin Love also helped add a personal touch to the celebration. Reports indicate members of the group received matching merchandise from Chosen Family, the wine brand he co-founded with Frye, along with personalized 2016 championship-themed gifts that reinforced the reunion’s anniversary feel.

Jefferson and Smith have already actively teased an upcoming special YouTube video that promises to give fans an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at everything that took place during the trip.

The timing isn’t accidental. Friday marks the 10-year anniversary of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, and several members of the title-winning roster have been actively reflecting on that run. Jefferson recently launched a special anniversary series on The Richard Show featuring conversations with Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and Iman Shumpert, while Smith’s own appearance is expected to follow.

The championship crew even indulged in a range of luxury activities, from scenic helicopter rides around the prestigious Loch Lomond Golf Club.

When they weren’t browsing luxury watches or unwinding by a peaceful lakeside campfire at night, the former teammates spent the majority of their days battling it out on the golf course.

Amid all the classy activities, they found time to pick on each other and share a laugh over fine wine and dinner.

One of the more memorable moments came when Love poked fun at Frye’s “retirement bod,” a reminder that the chemistry and locker-room humor that defined that Cavaliers team remain very much intact.

As soon as he arrived, RJ ignited a hilarious, competitive debate over who holds the crown as the best golfer on the 2016 title team.

Golf quickly emerged as the unofficial centerpiece of the vacation. While LeBron has embraced the sport as a serious offseason pursuit in recent years, many would still give Smith the edge after his post-retirement stint as a collegiate golfer at North Carolina A&T.

The competition, jokes, and storytelling seemed to come naturally for a group that still maintains strong ties years after their championship run. In fact, several members of the 2016 team have previously revealed that their group chat remains active long after their playing days together ended.