The rehabilitation of Kyrie Irving from a fractured kneecap is going smoothly, but he is almost certainly not going to be ready for the Cleveland Cavaliers' opener on Oct. 27.

Irving could remain out until January.

Irving underwent surgery in early June with an expected recovery time of three to four months.

The Cavaliers want to bring him back slowly without risking a setback, with the goal of being at full strength entering the playoffs.

LeBron James wrote a message on Instagram to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, who are both recovering from injuries sustained in the playoffs.

"Man I can't wait to get back on the floor again with you two guys!" wrote James. "Last year was just a sample size of what we're capable of and I'm so hyped thinking about what's next."

James attached the message to a photo of the three players from the 14-15 season.

James extended The Finals to six games playing without both Irving and Love.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to sign Sasha Kaun to a two-year deal.

The second year is a player option for Kaun.

The Cavaliers have owned the NBA draft rights to Kaun since 2008. Kaun has played in Russia during the past seven seasons with CSKA Moscow.

Kaun has a history with David Blatt, who coached him on the Russian national team. 

J.R. Smith has agreed to a two-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, paying $5 million this season and a player option for 2016-17.

Smith declined his $6.4 million option in June.

Smith announced his return to the Cavs on Thursday night.

Smith will have a chance to test the market again next offseason when the NBA's salary cap rises significantly.

The New York Knicks have interest in trading for Jamal Crawford.

Crawford was previously with the Knicks until they dealt him to the Golden State Warriors in 2009 to clear cap space for 2010.

The Cleveland Cavaliers also have interest in Crawford.

Crawford is entering the final season of his current contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sasha Kaun visited Cleveland on Monday as he begins to look for a house and get situated in the city.

Kaun and the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, have yet to agree upon a deal.

"It's only a matter of time" before a deal is struck, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

Kaun has played professionally in Russia for seven years with CSKA Moscow.

Kaun earned $2.9 million per season with CSKA.

The Cavaliers have owned Kaun's NBA draft rights since 2008.

J.R. Smith has reportedly been offered less by the Cleveland Cavaliers than the $6.4 million player option for the 15-16 season he declined to become a free agent this offseason.

With free agency well into its second month, the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers are the only other teams that can offer Smith a raise.

Smith continues to wait for the Cavaliers to improve their offer, but his best bet may be a one-year deal.

Free agent Jared Cunningham has agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told RealGM.

Cunningham recently committed to training camp with Cleveland, which drafted and traded him with the No. 24 selection in the 2012 NBA draft. He scored 10 points per game in eight contests with the Utah Jazz in the NBA summer league.

The Cavaliers remain hopeful to re-sign Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith, with Cunningham competing for a final roster spot.

Cunningham, a 6-foot-4 guard, has played parts of four pro seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers. After being waived by the Clippers, Cunningham finished the 2014-15 season in the D-League with Delaware and Idaho.

Cunningham has averaged 1.8 points and 4.9 minutes in 40 NBA appearances. He spent three seasons at Oregon State before declaring for the draft as a junior.

LeBron James is anxious for the Cleveland Cavaliers to re-sign Tristan Thompson, who remains a restricted free agent.

"He's a huge part of our team," James said.

"Short-term and long term he makes our team more dangerous," James said of Thompson. "Things need to be worked out from his side and the Cavs but we need him back. He's an important resource."

James also said the Cavs' "front office has done a great job. The next step is to get Tristan done."

Thompson is represented by the same agent as James, Rich Paul.

After reportedly nearing an agreement on a five-year, $80 million contract shortly after free agency started on July 1, negotiations have stalled as Thompson seeks a maximum, $94 million deal or something close to it.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have been scheduled for a maximum number of 25 nationally televised games for the 15-16 season.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder will play 24 times on national television.

ESPN, ABC and TNT reduced the New York Knicks' nationally televised games from 16 to seven.

The Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets don't have a single nationally televised game.