Cavaliers avoid LeBron James nightmare by signing Kyrie Irving now

Cleveland won’t be losing another big-name player to free agency any time soon.

Kyrie Irving and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert tweeted Tuesday morning that they have reached an agreement on a five-year contract extension that will keep the All-Star point guard in Cleveland for the next six years.

“I’m here for the long haul Cleveland!!! and I’m ecstatic!!” tweeted Irving, who averaged 20.8 points and 6.1 assists last season. “Super excited and blessed to be here and apart of something special.#ClevelandKID”

Going into his fourth season as a pro, Irving would not have been eligible for restricted free agency until next summer and unrestricted agency until 2016.

Now he can start enjoying the benefits of the deal, which has been reported to be worth about $90 million, once it becomes official July 10.

The move also makes sense for Gilbert, who took it quite personally when LeBron James left Cleveland after a drawn-out free-agency process four years ago.

“Looking forward to the next 6 years of @KyrieIrving in CLE,” Gilbert tweeted. “Just shook hands &intend to sign on the 10th.Cant be more excited about @cavs...”

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