The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to bring back Tristan Thompson on a contract extension this offseason and JR Smith is also an option to sign back for LeBron James and this comes as the Cavs also could look at a Jamal Crawford trade with the Clippers if the Smith deal does not work out. The Cavs have signed James, Matthew Dellavedova, Kevin Love, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson and James Jones to deals this offseason.
The Cavaliers have been trying to get a deal done with Thompson all summer and according to Brian Windhorst at ESPN, the sides are "not close" on a deal right now. Windhorst writes that the sides have hit a "stalemate" over negotiations, as Thompson's situation has "no precedent." Thompson is a player that is capable of starting, but with Kevin Love in Cleveland, it changes the situation for the Cavs. James has mentioned Thompson publically and said that he wants a deal done and for the forward to return.
The Cavs also want to keep JR Smith, but so far the sides have not agreed to a deal. Chris Haynes at Cleveland.com reports that Jamal Crawford would be "open" to a trade from the Clippers to the Cavs and the team could use a trade exception on him. The deal could be an option for the Cavaliers if things do not work out with Smith on a return with a new contract. Smith opted out of his contract this summer and the Cavs reportedly did not want him to do that. Smith now will likely take a pay cut.
There were reports earlier in the summer that the Thompson and the Cavs were "nearing" a deal, but soon after Windhorst reported that the sides were "still apart" in talks. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, there is "not a vast gap" in what Thompson wants and what the Cavaliers are offering and a completed deal is the expected result. Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com reports that there is "a lot of talking" between Thompson's camp and the Cavaliers and a deal has "not yet been reached."
Haynes and Windhorst later reported that Thompson could consider signing his qualifying offer and that would make him a free agent next summer. Thompson's agent Rich Paul reportedly has said that if that happens with the QO, Thompson will not stay in Cleveland long term. The Cavs traded Brendan Haywood to make a trade exception and Windhorst reported that the Cavaliers tried all offseason find a good deal for Haywood. The team ended up moving Haywood and his $10.52 million non-guaranteed contract to the Blazers.
The Cavs tried to make a deal for Joe Johnson and also showed some interest in Jamal Crawford, but the team did not end up pulling off a deal. Crawford and Nick Young could be potential options, while Markieff Morris wants out of Phoenix and could be a fit. The Cavs pulled off another trade with Rakeem Christmas before moving Haywood and this season they have exceptions for Haywood and Mike Miller. The Cavaliers have been looking to add more depth in the front court and Windhorst reports that the team could look at Sasha Kaun, who is playing overseas. UPDATE: A deal with Kaun is getting closer to getting done and should happen this week. Also, the team is signing Quinn Cook as an undrafted rookie free agent.
