After Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kyrie Irving fractured his kneecap in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals, he was given a recovery timetable of 3-4 months. That should have set the explosive guard to be ready by the time the Cavs opened the season against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 27, but instead, multiple sources are saying that while Irving's rehabilitation is going smoothly, he is unlikely going to suit up for the opener. One source even opined Irving could be on the shelf until January, as Cleveland.com reports.

"I'm honestly not putting a date on anything," Irving said at his basketball camp back in July. "People are going to put a date regardless. I'm just continuing to be on the journey I've been on, and that's continuing to get better every single day and rehabbing my leg."

Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group opines that should the Cavs hold out Irving's return, it should be a case of being cautious as opposed to the injury not healing as expected. Irving had surgery on his fractured kneecap back in June.

The Cavs have a contingency in place, signing guard Mo Williams this offseason, while also re-signing feisty Australian Matthew Dellavedova. They also have J.R. Smith returning at the guard spot, while Iman Shumpert, who took care of some ball handling duties for the Cavs last season, will also be back.

Previously, reports surfaced that the Cavs will be looking to limit both Irving's and LeBron James' minutes next season. Irving played a career-high 36.4 minutes per game last season, while James normed a career low 36.1.

Both Irving and Kevin Love were key losses for the Cavs in the past NBA Finals. While Irving could be out for a while more, Love is expected to be ready for the opening of the next season.