The Cleveland Cavaliers have begun their quest to avenge their loss in the NBA Finals last season. The team had a busy offseason re-signing several of their stars while acquiring depth for the bench and now a portion of the team has gathered in Miami to begin pre-training camp workouts. However, there are a few dark clouds still lingering over the Eastern Conference champions as Kyrie Irving continues to heal from a season-ending injury and Tristan Thompson remains nowhere to be seen.
The Cavaliers might be hard at work getting in shape for the start of the season, but Thompson is not in attendance. According to Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Thompson is not attending the offseason workouts with the team as he continues to fight for a max contract. Thompson and the Cavaliers have been going back and forth regarding his expiring contract. Chris Fedor of the Plain Dealer reports that negotiations are far apart between the two sides as Thompson wants a max contract and the Cavaliers are unwilling to hand that out.
There is no doubting that Thompson raised his value with the team during the postseason run with Kevin Love sitting out. However, right now the Cavaliers are pressed for money to be able to give Thompson. Fedor writes that his agent Rich Paul as has already threated the Cavaliers saying his client will leave the franchise next summer is not signed to a max deal. The open market could be very generous to Thompson especially if he has a big season.
Right now, all signs point towards Thompson signing his one-year qualifying offer, playing out the season and aiming for the max contract next summer. It is natural that he wants the security now instead of later, but Cleveland does not appear to be budging on their terms. Any ideas of trades can be shut down right now. Thompson will start the season with Cleveland. However, if the team really feels he is a threat to leave, something could come around by the mid-season trade deadline.
Irving remains another question mark for the team. The point guard is still healing from knee surgery at the end of last season and now is not expected back until January at the earliest. Irving was not willing to give himself a timetable when he spoke to the media after a workout in Miami. He stressed that he feels healthy and is hoping to be playing sooner rather than later.
"I'm feeling great," Irving said, via ESPN.com. "I'm taking my time with it. Obviously, it was a terrible injury but thank God I had the summer to start rehabbing and I'm definitely progressing in the right way. Whatever my timeline is, it'll be for the betterment of the team and for us to also compete for a world championship at the end of the season."
The Cavaliers are hoping for that as well. With Irving out, the point guard duties will be assigned to Matthew Dellavedova and Mo Williams who signed deals in the offseason. Dellavedova is the assumed starter for the team considering he was the main filler for Irving's spot when he got injured. JR Smith could see more time in the backcourt as well.