Dan Gilbert is already declaring that he will do whatever it takes for the Cleveland Cavaliers to keep Kyrie Irving with the franchise for his entire career.

"It's still a little bit early, but we feel good about Kyrie being here for his entire career," Gilbert said before Wednesday's season opener. "We think we set up an environment and a culture that is conducive to him being not only an All-Star but hopefully the leader of our championship-contending team. We'll keep going until we get to that point, whether it's this year or next year, whatever it might be."

Gilbert believes that Irving and Mike Brown are building a great relationship.

"That head coach/leader-star relationship is absolutely critical, as you all know in building a championship team," Gilbert said.

Gilbert can see a difference in the culture of the Cavaliers.

"I think it's a whole different feel around here," he said. "We have higher expectations, obviously, than the last few years. There's just a whole different chemistry and feel, not only in the locker room, but also in the whole organization when you walk around, you talk to people in the business office, you talk to the coaches, you talk to the players.

"That was a feel we had all summer, even at the practice facility. It's one of the years where talent's evolved and we picked up some players and we have a defensive-minded coaching staff. Expectations are higher, not only for us, but the fans – as they should be."

Andrew Bynum participated in part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' practice on Sunday, including some five-on-five.

Mike Brown said that the Cavaliers have not cleared Bynum to take part in a full practice or play in a game, but he has not been ruled out for the season opener.

"There's parts of the practice they don't want him to do,'' Brown said. "He hasn't participated in every aspect of practice all the time.''

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived center DeSagana Diop, forward Kenny Kadji, guard Jermaine Taylor and guard Elliot Williams.

The Cavaliers' roster now stands at 15.

Diop averaged 3.7 minutes in three preseason games for the Cavs.

Kadji played in seven preseason games with averages of 5.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game.

Taylor averaged 5.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in seven preseason games.

Williams played in six Cavs preseason contests, averaging 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised the fourth-year options on guard Kyrie Irving and forward Tristan Thompson, as well as the third-year options on guard Dion Waiters and center Tyler Zeller.

Irving was the first overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Cavaliers and owns career averages of 20.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.8 minutes through 110 career games with the team.

Thompson owns career averages of 10.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in 28.1 minutes through 142 (107 starts) games played.

Waiters averaged 14.7 points on .412 shooting, 2.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 28.8 minutes.

In 77 games last season, Zeller averaged 7.9 points on .438 shooting and 5.7 rebounds in 28.0 minutes. 

LeBron James is the overwhelming choice by NBA general managers as the player they would most want to build a franchise around with 89.7 percent of the vote.

Kevin Durant was ranked second with 6.9 percent of the vote, followed by Kyrie Irving at 3.4 percent.

James received 80 percent of the vote last season.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas will have his No. 11 jersey retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 8 against the New York Knicks, the team announced on Monday.

Ilgauskas spent 12 of his 13 NBA seasons with the Cavaliers and made the All-Star team in 2003 and 2005 while also being named to the All-Rookie first team in 1998.

Ilgauskas currently works in the Cavaliers' front office.

Mike Brown praised Tristan Thompson's upside as a post defender on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“He’s so athletic and so long, he can be one of the best in the league if not the best ever,” Brown said of Thompson. “The biggest thing he has is a work ethic. In order to be great, the game of basketball is not easy and you have to have the mindset you want to outwork your opponent.”

Thompson averaged 13.1 points and 10.3 rebounds over the final 58 games (the double-double Scott was expecting). In addition, he shot 50 percent and 62 percent from the free-throw line.

“He’s got a lot in the took package to be one of the best, if not the best, when it comes to defending the post, defending weak side, defending pick-and-roll,” Brown said. “And if he switches onto a small, he has good enough feet to move his feet, keep the guy in front of him and not let him dribble drive by him.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard Michael Lee.

The Cavaliers' roster now stands at 19.

The 6-9, 207-pound rookie guard from St. Bonaventure, appeared in three preseason games for the Cavs this year, averaging 1.7 rebounds in 4.3 minutes per game.

Andrew Bynum is nearing clearance to practice five-on-five with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mike Brown said Thursday that Bynum is "close" to practicing fullcourt with the team.

Bynum missed the entirety of last season due to knee issues.

Jarrett Jack has chondromalacia in his left knee (inflammation/irritation of cartilage on the underside of the patella).

A treatment plan has been established and started that will result in Jack being sidelined for approximately 10 days.

Jack signed a free agent deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason.