The saga of Tristan Thompson continues as the Cleveland Cavaliers get closer and closer to losing their young power forward. The Cavaliers and Thompson simply cannot come to terms on a contract agreement as the restrict free agent is simply ready to play on a one-year deal and head elsewhere in 2016. That has brought up several conversations of trade talks for the Cavaliers, but even those appear to be disappearing.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, Thompson will not sign an extension with Cleveland unless it is a max deal. Instead, he will sign the qualifying offer and head somewhere else in the following season. That would mean Cleveland loses a top draft pick for nothing in return which is something the team would like to avoid. However, is a trade possible of the power forward?
According to KingJamesGospel.com, the Boston Celtics were considered an option for a trade. The Boston Herald reported Danny Ainge was looking to make a big and aggressive trade before the season and a deal for Thompson would fit that description. However, instead Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe is reporting Boston is talking about contract extensions with Jared Sullinger and Tyler Zeller which could take the need for Thompson away. The Celtics would have to offer up at least one of those players in a deal with the Cavaliers.
A trade with the Phoenix Suns has also been mentioned as Markieff Morris requests a move from the team. Trading Thompson for Morris might work on paper, but Bleacher Reports' Ric Bucher is reporting that the contract demands of the Cavaliers' star is ending potential trade talks. Bucher writes that Thompson's agent believes a max contract from the Toronto Raptors will come in 2016 which is what his client will hold out for.
LeBron James has made it very clear he wants the power forward back with the Cavaliers for the long-term. Financially speaking, a deal this season is out of the question. The Cavaliers could offer one next year, but they are too tight on money this season to make the numbers work. Thompson could be bluffing to get more money in the long run, but Cleveland is at risk of losing the power forward and getting nothing back.
