The Cleveland Cavaliers have said all offseason that Tristan Thompson is their main priority yet there is still no resolution to his contract situation. Thompson is most likely going to be playing for Cleveland next season it is just a matter of whether he will become a free agent after that or if he will sign a long-term contract to remain with the Cavaliers. It is being reported now that Thompson won't sign a long-term contract with the Cavaliers for less than the max, according to Sports Illustrated.
Thompson is coming off a tremendous postseason where he showed the Cavaliers just how valuable he is to the team and he even has LeBron James' backing as he said Thompson should be a Cavalier for life. The problem is the Cavaliers re-signed Kevin Love to a long-term deal this offseason and Thompson plays the same position as Love. Thompson not only would be a bench player making the maximum amount but he would also be the Cavaliers' fourth player with a maximum contract. Kyrie Irving, James and Love already have max contracts and the Cavaliers are already well over the cap and even with the cap set to go way up giving Thompson the max would put them in a bind for the future.
The most likely option has always been that Thompson signs a one year qualifying offer worth $6.8 million and becomes a free agent after the 2015-16 season but this news makes that a near certainty. If Thompson is able to have a productive season in Cleveland he will likely be able to get the money he is looking for in his next contract. There have already been reports that the Toronto Raptors, Thompson's home town team, will offer him a maximum contract as a free agent next offseason.
The interesting part of this scenario is how it might affect LeBron. James has made it clear he wants Thompson to be a Cavalier long-term and it is getting more and more likely that won't happen. James and Thompson are represented by the same agent and he might not like the fact that the Cavaliers weren't willing to commit to Thompson long-term. If the Cavaliers are able to take home the NBA Championship this season that might make this point moot but for now there is still a lot that needs to play out with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
