Kevin Love might have everyone's attention as the NBA offseason quickly approaches in July, but only team will be able to acquire him. That leaves every other team still searching for a power forward to add to the roster. Sure getting LeBron James will be nice, but again that is simply a long shot for everyone but the Miami Heat. The Cleveland Cavaliers are helping the effort by putting Tristan Thompson on the trade blocks.
Thompson recently told the media that he is frustrated with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team once again ended their season in disappoint after starting out with playoff dreams. Not to mention they fired head coach Mike Woodson and are dealing with rumored locker room drama surrounding franchise star Kyrie Irving.
"It's the business of basketball,'' Thompson said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Whenever you lose someone or someone leaves the family it's tough, but like I tell young guys: It's the business of basketball, you always have to prepare for anything, that's why you have to keep working on your game every day and keep getting better. But everyone has their own adversity. I guess my adversity is having different situations, but it's part of the game of basketball. The only thing we can control is getting better, myself, Kyrie [Irving], Dion [Waiters], all our young guys, Anthony [Bennett], so next year we'll be a better team."
Thompson has one more year remaining on his contract which makes him trade bait regardless of his recent comments. Owner Dan Gilbert has said he is ready to make big moves this offseason and while that likely does not include Irving, it will include Thompson. While Dion Waiters was the assumed biggest trade piece for Cleveland, BasketballInsider.com is reporting the Cavaliers favor sending Thompson away considering the interest in forwards this offseason.
Thompson has been a good player since getting drafted in 2011. He is averaging 10.8 points and 8.6 rebounds on the Cavaliers roster while showing great signs of improvement in his overall knowledge of the game. The Cavaliers intend on joining the Love and James sweepstakes which means they will send Thompson packing no matter how much potential they think he may have.
So who could pick him up? The Chicago Bulls could be an option. Thompson's final year of his salary is worth just $5 million and change. That makes him an easy one-season pickup for any team looking to be a contender. The Bulls want either Love or James, but could be forced to settle. The Houston Rockets and New York Knicks could also be an option considering Thompson is an affordable pickup for teams struggling with salary cap space.
