The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to sign Tristan Thompson to a contract extension and so far the sides have not been able to agree to a deal and if Thompson ends up signing his qualifying offer, his agent Rich Paul, who also represents LeBron James, reportedly said it will be his "last year" with the Cavs.
Thompson is a restricted free agent and he has a qualifying offer deal at one-year and $6.8 million, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. James has said to the media that he wants Thompson to return, but according to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst, the sides are not close on a deal. Windhorst reports that the team has not made any "real progress" since July and that Thompson wants a deal near $90 million over five years.
Thompson is a priority and the team could also look at trades, as Jamal Crawford is a potential option with the Clippers. The team made a number of trades during the season last year and after the Cavs set up an exception with Brendan Haywood it gives the team flexibility moving forward. Windhorst reports that the team is "has considered" deals if JR smith doesn't return on a contract. The Clippers may look at trading Crawford after getting Lance Stephenson in a deal with the Hornets, as the team now is pretty stacked with depth at shooting guard and at small forward.
Windhorst writes that the Cavs also could look at bringing over Sasha Kaun, a draft pick from a few years ago that is playing in Russia. The team could use Kaun as a backup for Timofey Mozgov and could consider trades during the season. The Cavs traded Rakeem Christmas after he looked solid in the Summer League and Cavs felt they could set up a better deal for a player that likely will not contribute for a few years anyway and so they moved him.
Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Cavaliers officially signed James Jones to a one year contract and now he is another player back from the run to the finals. Jones is more of a role player, but he can contribute and he gives depth for the Cavaliers with Iman Shumpert, Richard Jefferson and Mo Williams. According to Brian Windhorst at ESPN.com, the team is looking to bring back both Thompson and Smith, but the Cavs have to find a way to meet Thompson if it's on an extension.
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