According to NBA general managers, the Cleveland Cavaliers are poised to be the team that wins it all this season. If they are going to do that, it could be without Tristan Thompson who remains a holdout with the Cavaliers over contract disputes. With no news coming out about his potential return, the Cavaliers are prepared to start the season without him as the pressure is on LeBron James and Kevin Love to be fully healthy for the season opener.
The Cavaliers have made it clear they did not pull the contract offer to Thompson. Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group is reporting that there is still a deal on the table worth $80 million for Thompson to take. That is lower than the max contract he has reportedly been demanding and Haynes writes that the Cavaliers are not moving any higher than the five-year contract. As a result, Thompson and the Cavaliers are not speaking to one another as Haynes writes the two sides are not speaking and agent Rich Paul is urging a holdout that extends into the season.
James has made it clear that the ongoing issues with Thompson as a distraction to the team. He has made it clear that he wants the power forward re-signed immediately as the Cavaliers desperately need him with players like Anderson Varejao and Iman Shumpert recovering from injuries. The issue for Thompson is that he could easily hold out the entire season and make more money next year when the salary cap space increases. He would still be a restricted free agent, but could get a bigger contract offer.
With Thompson out, the pressure is on for players like James, Love and Varejao to get healthy quickly. After getting anti-inflammatory shots in his back, head coach David Blatt made it clear that James would be ready for the season opener even after just playing two preseason games. The Cavaliers were simply aiming to be cautious with the season right around the corner.
"But LeBron is in pretty good shape, he's done pretty well so far and we will of course constantly consider what his physical state is. But I don't think we have to go overboard. The guy is a great, great basketball player and he's also proven to be durable and ready to play," Blatt said, via Cleveland.com
James return will be met with Love's return as the forward looks healthy and is increasing his minutes on the court. Irving will still miss time as he heals from a knee injury. The point guard underwent surgery back in June and could be out until January. Until his return, Mo Williams and Matthew Dellavedova will fill the void along with JR Smith who re-signed in the summer.