The Cleveland Cavaliers reached an agreement with guard Kyrie Irving late Monday night on a contract extension.
The extension is reported to be a max contract allowed under the collective bargaining agreement at five years and $95 million. The new deal begins next year and will run through the 2019-20 season. Irving had one year remaining on his contract.
“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…,” Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said on Twitter.
Gilbert, Cavs general manager David Griffin and new coach David Blatt were among the team officials who went to Irving’s New Jersey home to offer the deal just after the free agency period opened at midnight Tuesday, ESPN reported. New contract cannot be signed until July 10.
The agreement is important for the Cavs because there were rumors that Irving might want out of Cleveland after next season. Irving avoided talking about his contract status during much of last season.
In his third year with the Cavs in 2013-14, Irving averaged 20.8 points and 6.1 assists in 71 games. He made the the All-Star team for the second straight year and was named the MVP of the game in New Orleans. However, Irving has yet to make the playoffs.
Irving was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Cleveland had the top pick again this year and selected former Kansas standout Andrew Wiggins.
The Cavs now will turn their attention to signing other free agents, including a possible run at LeBron James, and re-signing center Spencer Hawes.