The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson remain far apart in contract talks and reports have the Cavs star signing his qualifying offer as a likely possibility at this point. Thompson's camp thinks he can get a max deal from a team like the Toronto Raptors and that could keep Thompson from signing an extension to stick with LeBron James long term.
The Cavaliers have signed back nearly all of their free agents this summer, but Thompson remains on the market heading into the middle of September. Thompson is a restricted free agent and no team has stepped up with an offer sheet and that option is basically off the table at this point. According to ESPN.com, Brian Windhorst reports that talks are "not progressing" between Thompson and the Cavaliers and that the sides are at a "stalemate."
Windhorst reports that Thompson "believes he will get max offers next summer" and that is why the qualifying offer could be the outcome of all this. Thompson has until October to sign his qualifying offer and with training camp starting on September 29, deadlines could get the two sides closer. According to Chris Haynes at Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers have offered a five year deal worth $80 million, but Thompson is looking for the max at $94 million.
Haynes writes that the gap between the two sides has communication limited at this point and there is a chance that Thompson signs his qualifying offer. Reports have Rich Paul, Thompson's agent, saying that if Thompson signs the qualifying offer, he will likely leave Cleveland in the summer. If Thompson signs the deal, he can be an unrestricted free agent next summer and he can veto trades this season. Ric Bucher reports that Paul thinks the Raptors will offer a max deal to Thompson and that "other teams" also would be interested.
The Cavs are in a tough situation, as they dished out a ton of money this summer and they already have Kevin Love as the starter at Thompson's position. The Cavs may not want to put that much money into one position with Love also getting a max deal and that could keep Thompson from staying long term. LeBron James has spoken highly of Thompson and he has said in the media that he wants Thompson with Cleveland long term.
The Cavs have signed back James, Love, Iman Shumpert, JR Smith, Matthew Dellavedova and James Jones this summer. The team also added Richard Jefferson, Mo Williams and Sasha Kaun to the mix and while the team values Thompson, clearly he is looking for more than they are willing to give at this time. Thompson showed up last year when Love went down in the playoffs, but the Cavaliers now have to weigh their options about signing the forward long term or allowing him to sign the qualifying offer and potentially leaving next summer.
Kyrie Irving is on his way back for the Cavaliers and the team is hoping to have him back in the winter after he had knee surgery this summer. Irving was injured in the NBA finals and Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Irving should be back "before January," although no return date has been set.
