Thompson Talks
2014-10-27
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.
TT’s only 23. Lebron and the veteran presence can only help his game. Blatt is going to do some things with him. He’s best in a young Andy role where he’d come off the bench and reek havoc with his hustle. He can do that now. While I don’t think he is worth $12M with his current body of work it wouldn’t crush me for them to sign him around 8-10 . And we talk about replacing him like the top 25 PFs coming into mega-cap free agency are going to look for a small deals.
ALSO A BIG CONGRATS OUT TO LEBRON / SAVANNAH AND FAMILY ON THEIR NEW ( CAVS FAN ) BABY —–GOOD LUCK AND GO CAVS !!!
I think we are forgetting the “LeBron ” factor and having the same agent—-believe if LeBron wants him signed it is a done deal or if LeBron thinks he is over paid/ or thinks we can get a better player by not signing t.t. –we will go that route—LeBron’s voice will be huge in this decision
So what if TT can get offensive rebounds, he’s going to get block anyway. So what if he’s young and athletic, the NBA has plenty of those who come at a cheaper price. 11/9 in 30+ mins?! Nothing special looking at the Cavs previous roster. TT stats are overated as there is no one on the Cavs at that position to take his minutes away. Anthony Benett probably can average double double in the same mins. NBA players get paid for their skills, not for being hard work and hustle. Can’t even compare him to Faried and Favors except they’re… Read more »
11/9 in 35 minutes is pretty average. The guy has potential and is a good energy guy, but I’d take Farried over TT in a second. Considering we’ll have 3 max contracts on the books, there’s no way I give Thompson more than $8M per year. If he wants to leave town for more money at the end of the season, so be it.
I don’t think he’s worth more than 10, but his per 36 stats are 13/10.5 not 11/9. He is an elite offensive rebounder and he is young.
I agree we shouldn’t give him more than 10/yr but we’ll probably make this deal. The ability for Lebron to bring in veteran ring-chasers at a discount probably offsets the 2mil/yr we’d save by playing hardball. If TT is going to be playing a lot more back-up center, too, a lot of his defensive inefficiencies are going to be hidden. With some continuity at coaching and a defined role, I bet we see TT numbers go to like 16/12 in a year or two.
Yeah, except those were his averages before the events of this summer. You can see already in the pre-season the value of TT’s hustle and see how it most likely will translate to gaudier numbers on the receiving end of the talented players now passing him the rock, or the putbacks he’s now likely to get. Expect him to get plenty of run with Blatt wanting to keep Andy rested and healthy. It’s also hard to fathom the exponential leaps that are about to occur with the salary cap given the TV deal money. It’s going to be beyond shocking… Read more »
have to agree with the evilgenius—- at 12 million –believe that is a going to be a bargain price with the new agreement coming up —–this years team is very suited for t.t’s game —should allow him to grow —-t.t. and his agent should also realize this and not try to ask for more that what is deserved —-t.t.. is on the right team at the right time with a bright future for himself and the team—- DO YOU WANT TO BE RICH ( SIGN FOR MORE THAN YOU DESERVE ) AND BE ON A MEDIOCRE TEAM OR SIGN FOR… Read more »
Hard to believe that if all TT is looking for is $12M per that the Cavs don’t just make that deal. With the new TV deal, this will be an absolute bargain for a young, athletic forward who can rebound and finish on the break (and eventually take over for Andy). If they table things until the summer, I’m sure his value in Rich Paul and Mark Termini’s capable hands (I mean who really thought he’d get $70M for Bledsoe out of the Suns?) will approach the $14M per level. it’s about to get crazier in the FA market.
I don’t think there’s any way Thompson will even sniff $14 million. His value under the current CBA is probably no more than $9 million. It’s a little less than what Millsap is getting, and $3 million less than what Favors and Faried are getting. Millsap is a much better player than Thompson, as is Faried. Favors is better as well, and I say it’s not close. Favors is also actually younger than Thompson. So with that $9 million figure as his current value – and projecting that the cap will raise about $15 million with the new tv deal… Read more »
I’m good either way. Signing TT will get us continuity going forward. But if he wants and gets too much money elsewhere we can always find another hustle rebounder type.
I wouldn’t call Tristan’s defense “wonderful.” I wouldn’t call anyone’s defense on the Cavs “wonderful” at this point. TT is still woeful at guarding/closing out on bigs who can shoot. Griffin should have negotiated on an extension this summer after LeBron was signed, or very early in the training camp. Owners blew their leverage when the new TV deal came out. I like TT, but is he worth $12 million per? Not in a league where Zach Randolph is making $10 million per, or Markieff Morris is making $8 million per. Heck, one of the best power forwards in the… Read more »
Wonderful is a tad too strong of word. However, committed would make sense. He’s also a consistent hustler, which is hard to find and he hasn’t had one gripe about coming off the bench.
If he can learn to finish a bit better, he could be pretty deadly considering he probably loses four to six points a game from getting his shot smashed away.
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