Kyrie Irving wouldn’t accept max offer deal from Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been under fire lately for their hesitance to offer Kyrie Irving a max contract extension.
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Reports were that the team just didn’t see him as a max contract player, and that his lack of leadership and locker room issues were the main reasons.
But columnist Peter Vecsey has a different side to the story, reporting that the Cavs refusal to offer Irving a max deal stems from their fear of him not accepting it, and them looking bad in the process.
Irving, although talented, has caused his share of grief in Cleveland, and continues to make noise that he wants out. So it would seem that the Cavs fears are quite warranted. Offing a max extension and having it thrown back in their faces wouldn’t bode well for the team to woo other marquee players to Cleveland.
Irving didn’t have his best season this year, and the Cavs just secured the number one pick in the NBA Draft. Despite their reputation as being inept when it comes to player negotiations, perhaps the Cavs are playing this one right.
A max deal for Irving could range between $90-95 million, and that would take a huge chunk out of the Cavs salary cap number. If Irving is that unhappy, it might be best to just cut bait and — with a new coach on the premises — once again, start fresh.
Cleveland fans may be growing weary of seeing good players fly out of town, but in this case it might be for the best.