The Cleveland Cavaliers have gotten a lot done this offseason so far but even after all of the moves they have made they are still in the forefront of almost every basketball conversation nowadays. The Cavaliers have been linked to Jamal Crawford again recently after talks had broken off earlier this summer and they are reportedly still negotiating with J.R Smith but LeBron James reportedly said that signing Tristan Thompson should be Cleveland's top priority right now, according to Briand Windhorst of ESPN.
Since re-signing James and Kevin Love, Thompson has been the Cavaliers number one priority but they still have yet to work out a deal. Thompson is reportedly looking for a maximum deal of five years and around $94 million but the Cavaliers are offering less than that. Reports say that the most likely outcome is that Thompson just signs the qualifying offer the Cavaliers have extended him which is worth $6.8 million next season. If Thompson takes that qualifying offer he will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason with the cap going way up.
LeBron and Thompson share the same agent, Rich Paul, but besides that James wants the Thompson deal to get done because he knows he's a big part of the team.
"Our No. 1 objective right now is to sign Tristan, he's a huge part of our team. Short term and long term he makes our team more dangerous. Things need to be worked out from his side and the Cavs, but we need him back, I think our front office has done a great job this summer. The next step is to get Tristan done," said James.
Thompson is currently a restricted free agent so there is almost no chance he doesn't play for Cleveland next season it is just a matter of whether he signs for the long-term or just one year. Last season Thompson averaged 8.5 points and 8 rebounds per game and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA. Thompson is going to be coming off the bench next season with Love and Timofey Mozgov the starters in the frontcourt but he will be huge for the Cavaliers as they look to take the next step and win an NBA Championship next season.
