Dan Gilbert believes getting Kyrie Irving signed to a max contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers was critical in landing LeBron James in free agency and then trading for Kevin Love.

"The moment we signed Kyrie was really the beginning of our historical summer," Gilbert said. "The fact that he committed to us long‑term and just a few minutes after the time you're allowed to have negotiations and extend your player, that is a major, pivotal moment.

"If that doesn't happen, that has to put doubt in any free agent including LeBron or whoever. Because if your top player, who has been with you for three years, isn't willing to extend, which is rare in the NBA, that would put a serious derailment on what we were doing. And he didn't hesitate. He committed. He believed in what we were doing and we believe in him. I can't underscore how important that was."