[BREAKING NEWS]: Tristan Thompson Finally Signs
2015-10-21
The Cavs have agreed to a five-year, $82-million contract with restricted free agent Tristan Thompson, according to a report from Chris Haynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group.
The long standoff that dragged through the summer and into the preseason, ended with the Cavs budging slightly from the reported five-year, $80-million offer they put on the table months ago. Thompson’s camp had been holding out for a max deal, but lost much of their leverage once the Cavs’ one-year, $6.8-million qualifying offer expired earlier this month.
The deal will create a historic luxury tax bill for the Cavs, and makes Thompson the league’s sixth-highest paid power forward (behind Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, Paul Millsap and David Lee). However, the team finally has their big man back in the fold.
Welcome back TT!
It’s only money.
In dollars per minute, TT may end up the best paid of them all.
Now the questions are: what is Kyrie’s actual physical condition? And, what kind of defense are the Cavs going to deploy with Mo and AV in the rotation? And, has ISO been locked away and the key thrown away?
Can someone convince me that we didn’t just massively overpay an Ed Davis/Drew Gooden bench player?
His projected (approx) 2 Wins-Above-Replacement/season means that CavsDan just paid $82M for…what exactly?
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/carmelo/#tristan-thompson
Meh. WAR is pretty weak, and this is all about what TT did in the playoffs.
And about making LeBron happy.
@ James Prentiss You also pay for future stats, not past ones. TT has been healthy, he’s 24, his offensive game has improved (slightly), and his defense and rim protection has improved. With the ballooning cap and risk of alienating your best player, this is the largest sum of money we could give TT before it left a very bitter taste in all our mouths.
Go back and rewatch some of the Atlanta ECF series. Remember how he just erased Millsap (who, coincidentally makes more than TT)? Remember that block on Bazemore?
I agree. Standing back from all this and looking at the big picture: the Cavs braintrust has done a masterful job of putting together a super team that should be championship caliber for several more years. Congrats on a great job!
In four years, guys around TT’s skill level will be getting these types of deals. The Cavs have a great 4-5 year window to get to the promised land. Imagine Lebron going to the finals for like 8 or 9 straight years…….. T___T crazy
Ugh. Just ugh. No use crying over spilt milk…but this is…just ugh. How did this particular deal not happen prior to training camp. We’ll never know the ins and outs I guess but ugh. On the plus side, we now will get to watch an insanely hard worker go to work. Hems motivated, he’s getting paid no matter what, and he’s a man of character by all reports. If there is one player who we don’t need to worry about coasting on a guarantee, it’s Tristan Thompson. Better than having guaranteed an unknown value half that money I suppose. But… Read more »
Somehow misread your last line that you wanted him to develop a “softball baseline jumper.” Was scratching my head about what that would look like!
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!! Our big rotation is insane now. When Shump and Kyrie come back, so is our guard rotation. SO MUCH DEPTH. #NoMarionMillerHaywardPerkCorpsesOnBench
You’re welcome, U-Dog. I do. TT better bust his butt.
I hope all the CtBers have a fun year!
Thank you, Dan G. You didn’t have to do that. You must really love Cleveland.
YES INDEED COME JAN / OR TRADE DEADLINE THAT COULD BE HUGE TO EVEN GET STRONGER / DEEPER FOR THE PLAYOFFS —–WONDER WHAT THE FAN REACTION WILL BE THE 1ST TIME T.T.IS INTRODUCED AND ALSO THE 1ST TIME T.T. UNDER PERFORMS —–STILL GLAD WE GOT THE DEAL DONE BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED– LEBRON WANTED NO DISTRACTIONS COMING INTO THE SEASON
I wonder if Mozgov’s knee had a little to do with getting this done, too. We need to rest the big guy and get him right.
I’m glad he’s back. Let’s get on with winning the championship. Please no more injuries.
TT on Uninterrupted…
It would be funny if this video was filmed in the multi-million dollar mansion that TT is about to buy…
Although there was not much public evidence of this, I think that Rich Paul’s friendship with Lebron bought him a mulligan on this one. Fortunate to be able to learn on the job.
But Holy Smokes! What a team! Could not be happier.
My only concern now is my own expectations. Threat level: late 80’s Cleveland Browns. Caveat emptor!
I like your thinking with Rich Paul.
This team is so much better than the 80s Browns. They really are built to win it all. Superior leadership, superior talent, superior depth.
That’s what frightens me about my own expectations. This is the best Cleveland sports team ever. O.K. maybe the Cleveland Force was better (just kidding).
Yes, Lebron is the best team leader and the best player. The rest of the team is great. The coaches are great. Front office, great. It is impossible not to be heavily invested in this team, this year. Possibility of psychological pain very high if they don’t win. But, hey, this is the year, baby. This is it. I accept the pain, if it comes to me.
Well, with all of these deals extending for the next 5 years (LBJ will most assuredly continue to sign his max deals), they have locked up a decent sized window to win at least one, and as many as they can…
Yes, this is just a very good thing. Now the team can just focus on playing better together. Huge opportunity for improvement over the next couple of years. I need to relax.
This is kinda awesome…
Okay… now all CavsDan has to do is pay Moz the max and find Corey Joseph money for Delly next summer and they are set… ;)
What does that bill add up to?
Delly isn’t getting Corey Joseph money. But whatever. Moz gets 3/46
Why not? His stats are similar…
And you must already be smoking if you think Moz is going to sign for 3/46…
3/54 minimum. Probably more like 4/76
Maybe 2/42
Moz gets 5/90. or 4/80.
I wouldn’t be surprised if some team offered him a 5/100 max deal…
Thats probably too long of a contract for a 30 yr old 7′ center
But yeah, he’ll get maxed out by someone. 4/76 would be good
I AM QUITE SURE T.T. HAD SOME SORT OF TRAINING REGIMENT ALL HE NEEDS TO DO IS ” SEE BALL GET BALL ” / DEFEND THE RIM — ENOUGH FOR RIGHT NOW —WHO KNOWS MAYBE PAUL WAS REBOUNDING AND PASSING TO T.T. ALL DAY LONG BEHIND THE 3 PT LINE —LOOK OUT DRAYMOND T.T. COMING FOR YOU !
Still irritated Thompson missed training camp for no good reason.
Actually, it wound up being 2 million reasons… spread out over 5 seasons… so 400,000 reasons per season…
But seriously, I agree with you. Silly that it dragged out this long over such little money…
I am not. I’m glad he got paid. I’m glad he didn’t have to play in any pointless pre season games. I’m glad he’s happy. I’m happy. Danny G is happy. Why can’t you be happy?
Because you’re happy. And you’re usually wrong.
Troll harder Mr. Smith.
Now children . . . . . behave.
There was a good reason. Counter offering. People do it all the time when negotiating salaries. It’s the immense scale that appears bothersome, but it’s no difference. Sometimes the employer wins, sometimes the employee wins.
I kind of feel like the employee won from the moment the employer offered him $80M over 5 years, but hey what the hell do I know… ;)
That is is it! Original offer was damn generous. What was the fuss about
I guess it took a visit from the FLOTUS to finally get TT to sign… ;)
Great that CavsDan steps up like this. It’s too much money, but WHAT A TEAM. Now they just have to stay healthy, play well, and ROLL.
I sure hope Tristan is happy, because DAMN.
If it’s too much money it’s only too much by a million or two a year. I do not get the angst over this contract. Why can’t everyone just be happy that Danny G kept the team together for the next 4 years.
I believe most are happy the team is all together for many years. Contract and Paul not so much. And it has been explained very well by better writers than I. So I will not even try. ALL IN for sure
Next year it won’t look bad at all. Under the old cap, it’s like $10.8 million per season.
I’m very happy for Tristan and the Cavs. What little angst there is is simply from seeing what generally happens when you overpay — it reduces your options down the road. But your point about it only being by a million or two a year is well taken.
Hoping TT doesn’t take a step back in skill level. Hope he’s been working on his game.
Seriously. Is it too much to ask that he have more than one skill?
Why the heck would he take a step back? What are you even talking about?
Cause he hasn’t been playing. Duh.
Didn’t have a training camp. Couldn’t work out that hard. Didn’t play with team Canada. He’s missed a lot of opportunity for improvement this summer.
only you would be having panicky thoughts right now. You need to move out here so you can relax!
He’ll likely take a step back in court time though…
Although, I bet they only play AV at the C now and give TT the majority of the backup PF minutes behind KLove…
AV can’t cover any power forwards anymore. So yeah. But he won’t be playing more Han ten minutes a game.
That’s what you said about Delly last year… ;)
Seriously though, AV has looked really good movement-wise in the preseason… I bet he plays more than you think. After all, he’s one of LBJ’s favorite players…
This is a BS meme. No evidence that Andy can’t play pfs other that the dumpster fire from the beginning of 2014, where all the Cavs sucked, and preseason. Let’s get some real evidence b4 we make that assumption.
This was meant in response to cols.
I figured… I think AV has played really well in the preseason, and looks much more like the AV of old than the AV of the beginning of last year… I still think he will see most of his time as Mozzy’s backup though…
Kinda hate the sleeved jerseys… but glad to see the return of the throwback versions…
Shump is so ripped. He was in crazy good shape coming into training camp. I like all the jerseys. Hope they mix it up often this season.
The feathered script sleeved jerseys would have been great. Not digging these ones at all.
https://twitter.com/WFNYJacob/status/656989632622530560
Cavs estimated to be at $192million. Still lower than nets.
DeMarcus Cousins @boogiecousins 17m17 minutes ago
How much??? ?
Yep
HAVE TO THINK MDN WILL BE ON THE ROSTER —–KINGJAMESGOSPEL HAS SMOKIN JOE ON THE BUBBLE WITH EITHER COOK / DAYE STAYING ?
Nah. Harris makes it.
Cooley Cooley Cooley !!!
They have to pay Joe H regardless (even if they cut him) so why do it? Agree he’s been disappointing, but after signing TT, they can ill-afford to take on more tax on guaranteed salaries…
Could stretch pay him and spread the hit over two years. But no one worth doing that for.
With TT signed, they don’t need JFJ to play PF, so he can shift back to being the three point specialist off the bench (erasing the need for Daye), and Cunningham showed his ball-handling skills (which knocks out Cook)…
@stevekylerNBA: Yep… Saving this tweet: https://t.co/xmaM5905OJ
Finally! Glad they took care of this. He’s overpaid, but I don’t care. Just glad it’s taken care of.
Wow Gilbert is in a good mood, trolling everyone with these uniforms.
LOL…
Not gonna lie, I kinda dig the fake plaid uni. Not for a game jersey but I’d wear it as a fan. It’s better than the black sleeved abominations that are real.
Gotta love the gold Miracle of Richfield throwbacks……
Maybe we could argue about whether the sleeved one is going to hamper Cavs shooting stroke. We’ll have to chart the team shooting percentages for sleeved vs sleeveless games and find out. I mean, what are analytics for, right? j/k
COLS THIS BLOG WOULDN’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU —WE JUST GIVE YOU “TUFF LUV “——-AND EVIL BY THE WAY I AM USED TO TALKING TO MYSELF—DOG AND WIFE NEVER LISTEN TO ME HA -HA
I think this makes Danny G the best owner in the NBA if not all of sports.
It will be interesting to see how many guys they add form training camp. I would guess only Cunningham has a shot now and he may not even get anything guaranteed.
Well, they still needed a 15th man… so I bet Cunningham will still get the nod, at least until Shump is back and they potentially need a spot for an available vet at the trade deadline…
I agree with EG here.
Right, so in order to keep that spot for an available player at the trade deadline, Cunningham’s contract would have to be non-guaranteed right?
Yes. Or could throw him into the trade to make it work.
I think that’s true. A guaranteed contract would trigger even more luxury tax…
You pay tax either way. But it’s what your payroll is at season’s end that counts.
Gee. Didn’t Cols714 say he’d sign before the season started? Yep. Listen to me at all times people.
Blind Squirrel, meet nut.
Yeah… I already gave you credit (see above). Don’t get cocky… ;)
Oh yeah, I suck. I was so rushing to pat myself on the back that I skipped it. As usual, I susck.
I’m not sure why you get so much hate. But don’t ever change.
Totally!
Cols tends to enunciate my fears before I even know I have them. Reading his comments is like looking into the future for me. As for being wrong a lot…who is right all the time? We all deal in hypotheticals and opinions here.
Don’t change Cols.
In related news… @CavsDan will be opening three new casinos this year…
I’m going to say what everyone is afraid to: If TT isn’t in shape and gets injured…..
Well, he’s got a week to get in shape if he isn’t… and with AV and Sasha, they can bring him along slowly…
YES WE SHOULD APPLAUD “UNCLE ” DAN —THE 1 /TRUE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS OWNER IN CLEVELAND
I like Dan, but Peter Holt may disagree with you.
Dolan is professional. He just isn’t a billionaire with a Casino next to the stadium with the best player in the world on his team. Haslem on the other hand…
The Indians payroll isn’t the issue people make it out to be. It was Shapanetti drafting like dirt for a decade.
Regardless of what happens, there’s no questioning Dan Gilbert’s legacy in the annals of Cleveland sports now.
It’ll be a footnote unless they win a Title.
His willingness to spend is unprecedented.
I’m not so sure… no owner of any Cleveland sports team of any era has ever gone to these lengths to win…
I agree, but I’m saying that it will be a distant memory if it doesn’t result in winning. Just ask Dodgers fans.
You and I both know that the Dodgers just spend money… they don’t always spend it on the right talent…
I have some great Ned Colletti stories.
Let’s go by some houses.
TT and Andy are some of the most over paid players in the league. But this TT deal may actually be a steal 4 years down the road.
Gilbert Arenas, Kobe Bryant, and Joe Johnson scoff at your statement.
Some of the most overpaid. Some.
I THINK ALL THE CTB BLOGS ABOUT DELLY GETTING THE MAX NEXT YEAR PUT PAUL / T.T. IN PANIC MODE —–JUST GLAD IT’S OVER AND WE CAN ALL PURSUE ” UNFINISHED BUSINESS “—IS IT TOO EARLY TO START TO WORRY ABOUT MOZ’S CONTRACT —I KNOW SHUT THE HELL UP NOMAD AND GO GRAB YOURSELF A BEER —GREAT IDEA !!
I love it when you talk to yourself, NOMAD…
Haha…CtB is great. Now it will be “TT signed!!? Oh no, OMG what are we going to worry about now???”
Now it’s only injuries and chemistry…
Actually, now that I think about it… it’ll now be “How can we afford Moz next summer?!”
Yes…legit concerns EG. I was joking…thinking about how when the Red Sox finally won the World Series, Sox fans were worried that would have nothing to worry about now!
“…were worried that they would have nothing to worry about now!”
For once, I won’t mind it when Cols says he was right… credit where credit is due. Cols called it correctly that the deal would get done before the season started…
I heart Cols. Cols is wonderful.
This is true. Props to Cols.
Ugh. That was harder than I thought. Now I need to take a shower.
By the way… this is exactly the same deal as Draymond Green…
Hahahahahahaha. I thought he had signed for more.
I’m glad he’s signed and all, but I have to admit that part of me wanted Griffin to just wipe the floor with Rich Paul to teach him a lesson. Its best for the team though. Still, someone should punch Rich Paul in the nads.
Lebron James, that is all.
Why?!!! He got a good deal for TT. And Danny G is still a multibillionaire and the Cavs are now in better shape to win the title. There is zero downside to this deal. We were over the cap regardless. If it’s an overpay it’s only an overpay by one or two million a year. Why the eph do you care about that at all?!?!??!!??
I care that he thought it was better to hold him out of practice and all of preseason for BS.
I think that’s the smart move. preseason basketball sucks.
Cols some of realize at some point we may want to trade TT. But thats a discussion for another time. Glad to have the band back together
I’ve thought multiple times that Akron is a short drive from Youngstown. Glad that it’s wraped up. Paul and Thompson can claim victory because they didn’t take $50 million last fall. Griffin can claim victory because he didn’t shell out $94 million.
What in the name of all that is good are those jerseys Gilbert posted?
It was a joke from Dan Gilbert. He said he would post the real jerseys later tonight on twitter.
Re-posted below…
Some of their leverage….. hmmm – most of their leverage.
Is that better?
Haha, yes thank you EG
BTW, when this first came up, I predicted in CtB the contract would wind up being 5Y/81M, a bit low. Anyone out there predict 5/82? If not, I am going to print up a certificate congratulating myself for best guess!
No, just some. The rest of their leverage was lost when everyone realized that Tristan Thompson is Ed Davis.