The Cleveland Cavaliers open up training camp in a week, and as of right now Tristan Thompson's contract situation is still not solved. The Cavaliers have said it is a priority of theirs to sign the power forward long-term yet progress has not been made toward that end. It is being reported that the Cavaliers and Thompson remain far apart in negotiations and that the talks are still at a standstill, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
The Cavaliers have a standing offer to Thompson for $80 million over five years, but Thompson reportedly is looking for $94 million over those five years, meaning the two sides are $14 million apart. The Cavaliers contend that $16 million is market value for a player like Thompson while Thompson and his agent Rich Paul know that if they wait it out they will likely be in for a huge payday next summer.
The likelihood has always been that Thompson signs the one-year qualifying offer worth $6.9 million, but that possibility gets greater every day. The reports are that neither side is optimistic that a long-term deal will get done and that Thompson may sign his qualifying offer before training camp starts. If Thompson does sign the qualifying offer he will be the 21st player in the modern era to do so, and of the 20 players to previously sign a qualifying offer only one has re-signed with that team the next year.
Thompson is going to play for the Cavaliers in the 2015-16 season, that much is known, but if he signs the qualifying offer the odds of him leaving Cleveland next summer are huge. LeBron James said earlier this summer that Thompson should finish his career in Cleveland, but he has not gotten involved in the negotiations between Thompson and the Cavs.
Thompson will be a huge part of the Cavaliers this year, especially early on when they plan to limit Kevin Love's minutes. Thompson broke out in a big way last season during the playoffs after Love hurt his shoulder and will provide energy and rebounding off the bench for a Cleveland team that has championship aspirations. With another solid year, Thompson will likely garner a max deal on the open market next summer, which all but guarantees he is on his way out of Cleveland.
