The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson are not close on a contract extension and with the qualifying offer deadline coming up, a long term deal could be off the table. Thompson is also skipping workouts with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and other Cavs players in Miami ahead of training camp.
Thompson and the Cavaliers have been working on a contract all summer and while the two sides were talking a lot in July, things slowed down considerable over August and September. According to Chris Haynes at Cleveland.com, Thompson and the Cavaliers have had "limited" communication over the past stretch of weeks, as the sides have a "gap" in contract numbers. Haynes reports that Thompson and his camp want a max deal, but right now the Cavaliers have not been willing to go that high.
Thompson and the Cavaliers reportedly were close to a five year deal worth $80 million in July, but later it was reported that Thompson's camp rejected that deal. Ric Bucher reported last month that Rich Paul, Thompson's agent, is looking for a max deal from the Cavaliers and that if his client signs the qualifying offer, there is a good chance Thompson will consider leaving as an unrestricted free agent. Bucher reports that Paul thinks the Toronto Raptors and other teams are willing to give Thompson a max deal.
The Cavaliers like Thompson's potential, but the team may not want to give two max contracts to players at the same position after Kevin Love just got his this summer. The qualifying offer deadline is coming up and there is a chance that Thompson could take the one year deal over a long term contract if it's not the max. Thompson averaged 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last season and he was a crucial piece for the Cavs in the playoffs after Kevin Love was lost to an injury.
Cleveland.com reported last week that Thompson is not working out with LeBron James and his teammates at "pre-training camp" in Miami. James is hosting the camp and reports have Love, Kyrie Irving, Mo Williams, Iman Shumpert, Joe Harris, JR Smith, James Jones and Richard Jefferson in attendance. Anderson Varejao is also expected to attend after missing most of last season with an injury. Thompson and the Cavs could get closer once the deadline approaches, but the $14 million gap in offers is very large and could keep a deal from happening.
