The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson are still far from reaching an agreement, which is creating speculation that the Cavs and their power forward will eventually part ways next summer. Irving, who suffered a knee injury during game one of the National Basketball Association Finals against the Golden State Warriors in June, is recovering from a surgery to fix a fractured knee cap. LeBron James was No. 5.
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However, it appears that the general belief in Irving’s team indicates that the Cavaliers point guard will be back in action “well before January”. Chris Haynes at Cleveland.com reports that Thompson is looking for a max deal and he feels that his value on the market could get him one down the line.
According to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops, Thompson’s agent Rich Paul reportedly received words from three teams that they are willing to offer a maximum contract to the 24-year-old power forward if he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. The team already has Kevin Love on a max deal and putting that much money into one position could be tough.
Because of the big money that Thompson wants, the Cavs may not be entertained to sign him.
Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report recently revealed that the Toronto Raptors are willing to give a max deal to the Toronto native. The new report is that talks between the two sides are not progressing and that Thompson is likely going to accept the qualifying offer, according to ESPN Cleveland. The negotiations have hit a wall, as there is a $10 million-plus gap between what Thompson wants and what the Cavs are willing to give. Most Importantly, there’s really no way of really knowing where Irving is in his recovery process until training camp begins, which is now less than a month away.Unless Irving has a major setback in his rehab, it would be reasonable to expect him to play sometime in November or December. Aussie Matthew Dellavedova, also returning to the Cavs on a one-year deal, could serve as a replacement for Irving.
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Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving is expected to be ready to play before January. There were a number of items embedded in that endeavor, most of which revolved around re-signing Kevin Love and perhaps even more important, inking Tristan Thompson to a long-term deal.
