INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – When it comes to retaining the Cavaliers' superstar, it's never too early to begin the discussion – if only to appease the Cleveland faithful that had their hearts broken three years ago.

So even though Kyrie Irving isn't going to be a free agent any time soon -- the Cavaliers can offer him a long-term extension next summer -- when the topic came up for owner Dan Gilbert before the season opener, he was quick to assure that "we feel good about Kyrie being here for his entire career."

A day later, Irving cautioned that it's way too early to talk about contracts, but he will offer one bit of reassurance: He has a great relationship with Gilbert.

"I finally got out of calling him 'Mr. Gilbert,'" Irving said. "We have a great relationship, and it extends off the basketball court. That's about where it stands right now. We're building a culture here in Cleveland, and he told me I'm one of the guys at the forefront of it. We're building an identity here, and I want to be a part of that. Having guys come in, building a championship contending team, that's what it's all about."

This is a bit of good news because Gilbert, of course, famously wrote a scathing public letter directed at LeBron James after the former Cavaliers superstar signed with the Miami Heat as a free agent in 2010.

Still, Irving isn't quite ready to declare his lifelong allegiance to Gilbert and Cleveland. Not yet, at least.

"It's still too early to be talking about that stuff, especially a contract extension, and all that," Irving said. "But we have a great relationship, me and Dan."