Kyrie Irving signs 5 year contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers

Kyrie Irving

The Cleveland Cavaliers did not waste anytime once free agency was underway ensuring their All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving remains with the franchise till 2020. Irving and the Cavaliers delegation led by owner Dan Gilbert, General Manager David Griffin and new Head Coach David Blatt met late Monday night in New Jersey to ink an agreement between the parties.

The contract extension which will begin in 2015 is worth $90 million over a five-year period. The max deal will officially be signed after July 10th, the NBA’s moratorium for new deals. Shortly after the meeting Irving tweeted that he was “super excited” and “blessed” to be part of the organization for a long term. After three rough seasons, the announcement comes as a breakthrough for the franchise who have also hired Blatt, a coach highly acclaimed in Europe.

In his three-year stint with the Cavaliers, Irving showed brilliance on the court winning the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year, and being named the 2014 NBA All-Star Game MVP. Since then,he was seen clashing with former Head Coach Mike Brown more than once and was also known to irk his teammates a bit. This caused rumors to spread that he was keen on leaving Cleveland although he had always denied such reports.

Irving’s long term commitment combined with this year’s No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins’ four-year deal strengthen the Cavaliers position to make an offer to free agents this summer. The franchise is keen to set a meeting with LeBron James but are also interested in re-signing their own free agent Spencer Hawes. If sources are to be believed, Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye is also on the Cavaliers list of free agents for this summer.

Whether or not James is ready to return to his hometown team, the franchise is looking ahead to a bright future ready with a young core of Irving and Wiggins and a new head coach in Blatt.