Cleveland Cavaliers don’t want to pay Kyrie Irving max money
By Bryan Rose
Depending on who you ask, the Cleveland Cavaliers may or may not have entertained the thought of trading Kyrie Irving this past season.
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Whatever potential thoughts they had about making such a deal were likely short lived, though, it may be a thought that needs to be revisited, especially if the two sides struggle to find middle ground on a contract extension.
That’s likely to be the case after Irving, who understandably desires a max contract, will probably not get such.
That’s the word from the New York Daily News who reports the Cavaliers are reluctant to pay Irving the type of money he wants.
"The Cavs are making noises that they aren’t going to offer Kyrie Irving “max money’’ this summer via a long-term extension. They don’t want to deal the 2014 All-Star Game MVP, but it could come to that, especially if the West Orange product and his family continue to tell people that he wants out. Irving hasn’t been a leader in his first three seasons and he’s also gained the unwelcomed reputation as a locker-room problem. Those are two reasons the Cavs don’t see him as a max player."
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While the Cavaliers may be correct in their assessment, there are a handful of fellow NBA teams out there who’d be more than willing to overpay Irving.
Needless to say, unless Irving or the Cavaliers have a change of heart, it doesn’t sound as if the situation will have a pretty ending.