CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers didn't wait. They announced Kyrie Irving's contract extension the moment they were allowed.
While the team, Cleveland's fans and most of the NBA anxiously awaited a decision from LeBron James about where the free agent star will play next, Irving signed his five-year, $90 million contract extension that will keep him in Cleveland until 2020.
The Cavs reached an agreement with Irving on the extension in the first hours after free agency opened last week. They weren't permitted to confirm the deal publicly until Thursday, when the league's moratorium ended.
The move to extend Irving continued what has been a memorable summer. The team hired Coach David Blatt, selected forward Andrew Wiggins with the No. 1 overall draft pick and then locked up Irving.
They also traded three players -- guard Jarrett Jack, center Tyler Zeller and swingman Sergey Karasev -- to open salary-cap space so they can offer James a maximum contract.
"We are excited that Kyrie has officially committed to be here long-term with the Cleveland Cavaliers," owner Dan Gilbert said in a release. "The future has never been brighter as we are building the team and franchise for sustainable success. Kyrie is obviously a very big piece of our plan."
Irving averaged 20.8 points, 6.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 71 games last season, his third with Cleveland. The former No. 1 overall pick was also voted MVP of the NBA's All-Star game.
-- The Associated Press
Sports on 07/11/2014