As Tristan Thompson and the Cleveland Cavaliers have not yet reached agreement on a new contract, the restricted free agent is not expected to attend today’s Media Day in Independence.
Advertisement
The Cavs did not accept Thompson’s most recent offer of a three-year maximum contract that his side proposed last week, according to the report.
Thompson will also most likely miss the team’s practices, which begin on Tuesday. The qualifying offer would pay Thompson $6.9 million this season and make him an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Can the sides meet in the middle on a 5 year, $87 million deal? Tristan Thompson, who has not been with the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the offseason and refused to participate in the voluntary training camp led by LeBron James in Miami, might be feeling a tad panicked as the issue remains at a standstill. Should this rumor be eventually proven to be correct, then it could be said that Tristan Thompson opted to stay with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love despite the substantial decrease in his target income.
But on another note, one has to think if that $80 million offer is still valid.
Advertisement
The Cavs have made several different offers over the summer, going as high as $16 million in an average annual salary for the versatile and athletic big man. Thompson has been resolute in getting a three-year, $53 million max contract or a five-year deal for $94 million. Today we’ll see how this situation affects his teammates and coach when they address the media. However, it seems that the imminent commencement of the National Basketball Association regular season now poses more urgency to the matter. However, word out of Cleveland is that the team is willing to increase its offer in order to keep their young forward.
