The lengthy stalemate between the two sides is being viewed by Thompson’s camp as a level of disrespect.
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James initially delayed signing with the Cavs when free agency started, saying he wanted to wait for Thompson to secure his payday.
Having to qualify without Thompson, a player who in his fourth National Basketball Association season helped the Cavaliers reach the National Basketball Association Finals, will make things harder for Canada but Rautins sees it as a chance for the depth of their squad to be showcased. Last season, Prince scored 7.5 points in just 24 minutes per game with the Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, and Boston Celtics. But Thompson’s ego and Rich Paul-derived chutzpah are getting in the way here, and that’s why we now have this situation, one that could spell the end of TT’s tenure in Cleveland before too long. The report suggested that Cleveland offered significantly less money to the 6-foot-8 power forward, who was looking for a max contract.
However, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Monday, the Thompson-Cavs impasse was different this year because of the impending salary cap boom next year when the National Basketball Association signs its new TV deal. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavs could look at moving Varejao because he has a non-guaranteed salary coming in a couple years and for teams clearing cap space, it could be valuable.
One of the biggest questions that remain for the Cleveland Cavaliers is what to do with restricted free agent Tristan Thompson.
National Basketball Association on TSN analyst Leo Rautins is not shocked by his absence and believes that it actually comes at a position of strength for the Canadian team. Thompson and the Cavs have been at odds over the deal since talks broke down in mid-July, as the forward was seeking a contract that would pay him over $90 million on a five-year deal. Most other teams that had enough space to lure Thompson with an offer sheet have already used all of their money. In the playoffs, he did play an integral part in helping the Cavs (besides that LeBron guy) win the East, especially after season-ending injuries to Love and later Irving. The emphasis this season will likely be finding a way to add more wrinkles to the offense to further utilize Love’s skill set, both in the low post and on the perimeter.
Tristan is represented by LeBron James’ agent.
Tristan Thompson’s agent, Rich Paul, has revealed that the 24-year-old center may leave the Cleveland Cavaliers after the upcoming season if he is only given a one-year contract.
They also would be sending a strong message to keep James and his agent in check.
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LeBron has made it clear that the Cavs should bring Thompson back. The Cavs’ options are now two: they can either give Thompson the max deal he wants, or lose him next summer without the option of trading him anywhere he doesn’t want to go.
