Thompson Talks

2014-10-27 Off By David Wood

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Talks with Tristan Thompson about a contract extension before the Halloween deadline have stalled according to ESPN and Brian Windhorst. The talks represent more than keeping the “big man who specializes in offensive rebounding.”

Thompson is represented by Klutch Sports and James’ agent and business partner Rich Paul, who has worked with Thompson since he was drafted in 2011.

Both league executives and agents are closely watching how the Thompson talks play out as a gauge for how involved James is making himself in the team’s front-office moves. James signed a one-year contract with a second-year player option over the summer to try to take advantage of a rising salary cap. But it had the ancillary effect of keeping the team a little uncomfortable about the future.

If Tristan isn’t re-signed, it will allow people to comfortably say LeBron is not performing as quasi general manager for the Cavs. If TT is re-signed, people will speculate about what influence The King had on the decision to re-up him and the resulting contract. Gossip will be inevitable.

Thomspon is looking for around twelve million a year, similar to the amount Kenneth Faried received from the Nuggets and what Derrick Favors received from the Jazz. Big T almost averaged a double-double last season, 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds. However, he has failed to develop as an offensive threat and has declined as a shot blocker (what the Cavs really need) since his first season when he averaged one block a game. He averaged less than half a block per game last season.

The Cavs are concerned about locking up Tristan now, because, if they don’t, he will be a free agent, although a restricted one, at the same time as Kevin Love, LeBron James, and Anderson Varejao (although, the Cavs are in talks about an extension with him). If the Cavs decide to let Thompson reach free agency, there is a chance he could receive a large contract from a number of teams interested in his hustle and offensive rebounding ability.

Playing alongside LeBron makes it easy to get points and put backs. TT has already been playing wonderful defense, running the floor, blocking shots, and looking very buff from what I’ve seen during the preseason. His numbers will be inflated playing alongside the big three. If the Cavs can’t reach an extension with him before the deadline, they will be left praying that the rest of the league recognizes the LeBron Effect on Tristan’s numbers/performance and does not present him with any huge offer sheets. A large offer sheet could make a tough financial situation even tougher for the Cavs organization as it tries to re-sign two max level players during this summer.

My gut feeling is that Tristan will end up taking what the Cavs offer. It has to be terrifying for a player like him whose game will be transformed by LeBron to leave. If he were to land a big contract and then underperform as a featured part of another team, the resulting story line would haunt him for the rest of his career.

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