The Cleveland Cavaliers may be without point guard Kyrie Irving well into the 2015-16 season as they take a cautious approach to his return from a fractured kneecap.
While Irving is said to be recovering smoothly, the chances that he'll play opening night are slim, according to a report from Chris Haynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group.
One source told Haynes that Irving could sit out until January as the Cavaliers focus on ensuring they're at full strength for the playoffs in April.
Irving fractured his left kneecap during Game 1 of the NBA Finals and underwent surgery to repair it in June. The original recovery timeline had Irving returning in three-to-four months, and while he was cleared to resume working out in July, Irving's maintained that he has no firm return date in mind.
Earlier reports out of Cleveland suggest that the Cavs are aiming to trim both Irving's and LeBron James' regular-season minutes. Irving ranked 10th in the NBA in total minutes last season despite missing seven games, and he battled knee soreness during the playoffs before the injury.
The Cavaliers signed veteran guard Mo Williams to a two-year contract this offseason, and restricted free agent Matthew Dellavedova signed his one-year qualifying offer. James is more than capable of running the offense for stretches, and the Cavs stand as enormous favorites to win the East. If any team has the luxury of preaching patience with an injury, it's the Cavs.
Irving, a 23-year-old former No. 1 pick, is entering the first year of a five-year, $113-million contract extension he signed last summer. He made his third All-Star appearance in 2014-15 and averaged 21.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from long range.
While they only got to enjoy their trio for 89 postseason minutes, the Cavs outscored opponents by a ridiculous 13.6 points per-100 possessions when they had Irving, James, and Kevin Love on the floor together during the regular season. Cleveland's standing as the favorite for the 2016 NBA championship is predicated on its peak postseason potential, and that's what the Cavaliers are focusing on with Irving.
