The Cleveland Cavaliers may have to make a choice as Tristan Thompson has yet to sign a contract. The system is set up with rights-holding teams having virtually all of the leverage: They are able to match any offer, and there’s little incentive for opposing general managers to offer a contract because it can tie up their cap space while they wait for it to be matched.
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The qualifying offer disappears if Thompson doesn’t accept it by midnight Cleveland time tonight. The Cavs have already tendered a five-year, million offer to Thompson, according to sources. While he’s an excellent three-point shooter, he also has skills as a post-up player, pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop player, and can even be useful in the high post as a shooter or passer. The Thompson saga has been ongoing all summer, with Thompson and his agent Rich Paul pushing for a maximum deal and the Cavaliers balking at Thompson’s demands.
Beyond that, the Cavs and Thompson’s camp (which not coincidentally also is LeBron James’ camp) now have to buckle up and agree on a multi-year deal. But I had to do it. I had to do it back then because I felt like I was disrespected with the offer they offered me. In Thompson’s case, the longer it takes to find it, the more disruptive this impasse will become for the Cavs. The team signed Mo Williams in the offseason and brought back JR Smith and that should help with those players out. Either way, it would be a one-year deal, only carrying Thompson over until the next free agency period.
“I think all of us will be more comfortable with what we’re trying to do out there”, he said.
In 2007, Anderson Varejao was – just as Thompson is now – a restricted free agent with the Cavaliers, and Varejao held out the first 21 games.
“But as I know Tristan, he’s maintaining great condition and he will hopefully be with us as soon as possible”, Blatt said.
“We have all the pieces, mentalities and characteristics – whatever you want to call it – that has the making of a championship-caliber team”. “We think everything in his actions to this point have demonstrated the same. We’re excited about moving forward with him into the future in whatever form that may take”, he added.
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Despite now missing Thompson, one of their key cogs from last season’s playoff run, the Cavaliers are focused on the task of preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. Eric Bledsoe and the Phoenix Suns are doing fine with each other, so this whole ordeal might have a happy ending as well. If you believe Thompson’s esteemed agent that means his days in Cleveland are numbered.
