Bucher Buzz: Could Tristan Thompson Contract Situation Impact LeBron’s Future?

Hill poses the concept the Suns and Cavaliers negotiate a sign-and-trade that might ship Thompson to Phoenix together with the $eight million participant exception and Cleveland would obtain Morris in return.

Paul told Chris Haynes of cleveland.com that if Thompson plays this upcoming season on the qualifying offer, it would be his last season in Cleveland.

“I always thought he was going to end up (in Toronto)”, an Eastern Conference GM said. “There’s going to be so much money next year so I think he will get it”. Joseph, who is Canadian, and Thompson are friends.

While James has made it clear he wants Thompson back, saying he should be a Cav “for his whole career”, the two sides have not been able to come to an agreement.

Thompson agent Rich Paul expressed his feelings about the contract impasse to several media outlets that if his client is forced into accepting a one-year contract, the 2015-2016 season will be his last year with the team. Will LeBron leave Cleveland if Thompson isn’t re-signed? The Cavs would not relent to Thompson’s asking price which is north of $ 80 million for four years. If Thompson does sign that qualifying offer he will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016 and it is being reported that there is a decent chance he may wind up with the Toronto Raptors, according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops.

“It would be a bargain for the Cavs as Morris’ contract is half the amount of Tristan.(sic) For the Suns, they may have to gamble (and overpay) Thompson but they need to fill out the starting power forward spot”. All of those realities could lead to Thompson receiving sporadic minutes, causing a dip in production following his breakout campaign during 2014-15.

If he plays on the one-year QO and things go well, Toronto, and others, will be waiting. Depending how high the cap goes, it could reach $100 million.

Even though it is still to early to tell, Scotto noted that Paul just got Cory Joseph a four-year, $30 million deal with the Raptors.

Thompson already bet on himself declining a four-year, $52 million contract before the start of last season. It’s all speculative at this point until we know the actual figures.

The curious case of Tristan Thompson continues.