The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson have still not been able to agree on a contract and heading into the season Thompson could continue to hold out. LeBron James called the situation a distraction last week and this comes as players like Jared Cunningham and Quinn Cook are trying to make the roster for the Cavs.
The situation with Thompson has been going on all summer and while there were reports that the sides were close to a deal in July, no contract was agreed on. Thompson is currently holding out from camp and the preseason and he did not report to practice when the team opened up camp earlier in the month. Thompson is reportedly looking for a max deal or a contract that pays him around $15 million per season, but so far the Cavs have been unwilling to offer that deal.
Brian Windhorst at ESPN spoke with Zach Lowe from Grantland on his podcast about the Thompson situation and he said that in his mind it's not close to ending anytime soon. According to ESPN, Windhorst said that the holdout for Thompson could extend into the regular season and that a "third party event" is likely needed to "bridge the gap" between the two sides. Thompson stepped up for the Cavs last season after Kevin Love was injured in the playoffs, but the team gave Love a max deal and they may not want to invest so much money in one position with Thompson as the backup.
James was asked last week about the Thompson situation and he said the "last thing you need is a distraction" when a team if focusing on trying to win a championship. James is the unquestioned leader of the team and he said that he would be staying out of negotiations between Thompson and the Cavs. Thompson averaged close to a double-double last season and based on the way things are going now, it doesn't look like he will be on the opening night bench.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders writes that players like Jared Cunningham and Quinn Cook could make it on the roster for now since the "Thompson" thing doesn't look like it will be "resolved quickly." The Cavaliers are a veteran team that is built to try and win a championship and that makes it tough for players like Cook and Cunningham to make the roster. Both players have looked good in camp and solid in the preseason and with Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert set to miss the start of the season, there is a chance those players make the team.
Chris Haynes at Cleveland.com writes that Cunningham has a chance with the injuries, as the 24-year-old has been "turning heads" while playing with the Cavaliers. The team lost against the Sixers in their last preseason game, but Cunningham had 31 points and was impressive in that matchup and is now averaging 20 points per game in the preseason. Cook also has a chance, as the team is dealing with Irving being out and he can provide some depth off the bench behind Matthew Dellavedova and Mo Williams until Irving is ready to return.
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