Contract talks reportedly stalled between Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson
Training camp is less than three weeks away, but restricted free agent Tristan Thompson remains unsigned.
The Cavaliers haven't been willing to give Thompson the max contract he's seeking, mainly due to the ultimate cost of the deal this year being insanely high because of luxury tax implications. If Cleveland could wait until next summer to max out Thompson, the player would get more money, but there would be little to no luxury tax payment because the salary cap is set to spike upwards of 30 percent.
That hasn't been agreeable to Thompson or his agent, however, and ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that talks are stalled, and that things are headed in the direction of Thompson playing out this season on a one-year deal for a qualifying offer, which would mean he would become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The problem here for Cleveland is that Thompson's agent has said that if this is the path the Cavaliers choose, Thompson would bolt in free agency once he gets the chance.
It remains to be seen if Thompson would indeed want to leave what could be a championship-caliber team, especially if that team were to come correct with that max contract offer, albeit a year later than he seems to prefer. But if that's the road he chooses, the Cavaliers could look to trade him by February's deadline so that they don't lose Thompson without getting something in return.
Obviously, that last part could throw a significant wrench into Cleveland's plans of contending for a title this season, and would only be considered a nuclear option. But that's just how tricky this contract situation with Thompson is at the moment, and just how much may be riding on the Cavaliers' ability to get a deal done that satisfies both sides.
(h/t: ESPN Cleveland)
