With their hopes of LeBron James returning to Cleveland quickly fading, Cavaliers fans got a bit of good news early Tuesday morning. All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving agreed to a maximum contract extension with the team.
Team owner Dan Glibert and Irving revealed the agreement on Twitter. The extension is for five years and will pay Irving $90 million.
I'm here for the long haul Cleveland!!! and I'm ecstatic!! Super excited and blessed to be here and apart of something special.#ClevelandKID
— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) July 1, 2014
Irving, who averaged 20.8 points, 6.1 assists and was named the Al-Star Game MVP last season, had one year remaining on his current deal. The extension, however, will keep him in a Cleveland uniform until the 2019-2020 season. There had been doubts whether the Cavs would be able to retain Irving past next season. It has been reported that he was examining testing the free-agent market in 2015 - he was eligible to become a restricted free agent.
Looking forward to the next 6 years of @KyrieIrving in CLE. Just shook hands &intend to sign on the 10th.Cant be more excited about @cavs... — Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) July 1, 2014
Irving, 22, has also experienced some conflict in the locker room with shooting guard Dion Waiters. The two reportedly got into a physical confrontation following a loss to Minnesota in November.
Waiters denied there was a confrontation, but Irving was spotted with a black eye shortly after the alleged incident.
Irving's signing might have been influenced by his thoughts about recently hired head coach Steve Blatt. It is believed that Irving has grown fond of Blatt, who has never coached in the NBA on any level. Irving had a strained relationship with Mike Brown, who was fired by the Cavs in May.
The Cavs bolstered their roster by drafting Andrew Wiggins with the No. 1 overall pick in June. Cleveland finished 33-49 last season, and failed to make the playoffs.
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