Kyrie Irving is only a few years into his NBA career, but with free agency looming, he is ready to start winning. For now, barring any trades that will have to be with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, Irving has the chance to end his time with the team sooner rather than later and if the Cavaliers do not show signs of attempting to improve their roster than the point guard could be preparing to walk away when the time comes.
According to Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers will offer Irving a max contract. There had been plenty of speculation over whether or not the team would offer the point guard a max five-year, $90 million contract with fear that he might turn them down, but it appears the team is going to take the risk and try and lock down Irving for the future. Come July 1, the Cavaliers will be giving Irving the projected contract in hopes that he decides to pick money over everything else.
Irving wants to win. He is emerging as one of the best young stars in the league and he wants to take advantage of the talent while he is entering the prime of his career. He cannot win a championship on his own and is hoping to join a team that has the supporting talent to push the effort. John Wall signed a contract similar to what Irving will get offered and then the Wizards added key pieces which equaled to a solid playoff run. Irving wants the same thing.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer continues to report that the Cavaliers are looking to make big moves this offseason in order to help their chances to get Irving to sign the deal. The team believes they stand a good chance at making a trade for Kevin Love. However, ESPN's Jackie MacMullen is reporting that Love has no interest in going to play for Cleveland, siting their lack of talent outside of Irving. Right now, Cleveland can make a favorable trade offer considering they have the No. 1 overall draft pick. If Love does not want to play in Cleveland, he will not sign a long-term contract if traded which could defer interest.
LeBron James continues to remain an option as long as Dan Gilbert believes it is. The Cavaliers will make a run t him. If Cleveland does not make a serious attempt to acquire some marquee talent, Irving is not going to sign that max contract.
