The Cleveland Cavaliers are planning on offering All-Star guard Kyrie Irving a max contract extension as soon as the team is able to, according to ESPN.
The Cavs can offer Irving a new deal as soon as July 1, and if he hasn't signed it by October, the team will likely be forced to trade him before the Oct. 31 deadline to assure getting something back for the third year guard.
The Cavs will have the ability to match any deal offered Irving if he enters restricted free agency in the summer of 2015. But ESPN reports the scars remaining from LeBron James' departure four years ago are still fresh and continue to affect the way the club and its current star player handle their future together.
Team owner Dan Gilbert is on record in asserting that after the James debacle any franchise player who doesn't commit to the team long term will not be tolerated. The Cavs also realize forcing his way out of town will almost certainly have repercussions for Irving.
Irving is among the NBA's most popular players and the "Uncle Drew" spots that Pepsi created for him became huge YouTube hits. Irving was named MVP at this month's All-Star Game, but the successes haven't come nearly smoothly for him in Cleveland.
In his three years pro seasons, the 21-year-old has spent just five days above .500, none of them coming after the second week of the season.
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