The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly are still trying to sign LeBron James in free agency, despite extending star Kyrie Irving to a maximum deal. Despite James having a bevy of suitors, the Miami Heat are believed to be the favorites to re-sign the four-time MVP.
Cleveland extended Irving to a maximum deal worth $90 million over five years. The agreement, which can't officially be completed until July 10, was reported on Tuesday by Irving and owner Dan Gilbert; Fox Sports' Sam Amico reported the deal would be a maximum contract.
Although the Cavs now tethered to Irving for the long haul, it reportedly hasn't stopped them from trying to bring James back to Cleveland.
"(The Cavaliers) have been preparing for months, even years, for this moment," Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal wrote on Monday of James's free agency. "They know any team that gets in front of him will lay out a plan of how they'll win with him, how they'll surround him with top talent and how they can win titles together.
"But the Cavs privately feel they can separate themselves in two key areas: This area is still home to (James), and Dan Gilbert is willing to cut any check necessary to help the team win."
Gilbert, according to Lloyd, appears to believe his willingness to spend will repair the damage done by his scathing open letter to James following the latter's departure to Miami in 2010.
Cleveland would have to get creative with their salary cap, but even so, Miami appears to be the favorite to re-sign James.
Multiple news outlets -- including ESPN, Yahoo Sports and Lloyd -- peg Miami as the likely winner of the LeBron sweepstakes. Reports indicate James is giving Heat president Pat Riley time to improve Miami's roster before making a decision in free agency.
James, who's letting his agent handle free agency, is expected to be pursued by the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers.
