The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson are not close in contract talks and with the forward wanting a lucrative short-term deal, the qualifying offer could be the only solution to the impasse. The Cavs are also adding Austin Daye to the training camp mix to compete for a roster spot, while Mo Williams could start if Kyrie Irving misses the season opener.
The Cavaliers and Thompson have not been close in contract talks and the deadline for Thompson to sign his qualifying offer is coming up in October. There was a long stretch with "limited communication" earlier in the summer with the sides reportedly apart $14 million in contract numbers. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported last month that Thompson is looking for a max deal and that the Cavaliers had previously offered him five years and $80 million.
There has been some new reporting on the situation with training camp coming up, as Jason Lloyd at the Akron Beacon Journal reports that Thompson could be seeking a short-term contract. Lloyd reports that sources "told" him that Thompson would be willing to sign a contract for three years and $53 million, but that the Cavaliers "do not seem interesting" in offering that deal. The Cavs want to keep Thompson, but they just gave a max deal to Kevin Love this summer and may not want to invest that much in one position.
Thompson averaged 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds last season and he made a major impact in the playoffs with Kevin Love getting injured in the first round. LeBron James has mentioned in the media earlier this summer that he wants the Cavaliers to sign back Thompson, but his future in Cleveland is not likely tied to the decision. The Cavs have done quite a bit already this offseason even without signing Thompson, as they have brought back JR Smith, James Jones, LeBron James, Matthew Dellavedova, Love and Iman Shumpert on contracts. The team also signed Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson and Sasha Kaun as free agents.
The Cavs are bringing in another player along with those three, as Yahoo Sports reports that Daye is signing a one-year deal with the Cavaliers and he is "expected to compete for a potential regular-season roster spot." Sources said to Yahoo that Daye will be in camp with the Cavaliers and could have a chance to make the roster. Daye comes in after playing with the Spurs and Atlanta Hawks last season and he previously won a championship with San Antonio. Daye is 27 and could give the Cavs some extra depth off the bench if he makes the roster.
The Cavs are coming into camp unsure if Kyrie Irving will be ready for the season opener after having knee surgery over the summer. Cleveland.com reports that Irving will be limited in training camp and the Cavs are still not entirely sure when he will return. The team has Mo Williams and Dellavedova as option to start until Irving can come back.
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