LeBron not basing future with Cavs on Thompson

The Cleveland Cavaliers and restricted free agent Tristan Thompson are still at an impasse on a new contract with training camp starting this week.

An initial report came out from ESPN saying that Thompson was ready to accept a contract worth $53-million spread over three years and put a conclusion to the long debated issue concerning the Canadian forward’s contract demands.

With the team already up against the salary cap, Cleveland’s willingness at this point to extend their offer is likely more to just appease LeBron James, who has been championing Thompson’s cause since the onset of free agency. Sure, Thompson is a 24-year-old power forward and he’s threatening to sign his one-year offer letter and jet next summer, but Cleveland has already phased him out of things a bit already. Before, they were seeking a five-year, $94-million maximum contract. However, James is not pressuring the Cavaliers at all. Should this rumor be eventually proven to be correct, then it could be said that Tristan Thompson opted to stay with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love despite the substantial decrease in his target income.

The compromise seemed to make sense initially, seeing that the difference was roughly $2 million if you compare it to the original offer of $80 million spread over five years. By signing the qualifying offer Thompson would be risking a lot of financial security and be betting on himself big time. Today we’ll see how this situation affects his teammates and coach when they address the media.

The last option is the most interesting one.

The Timberwolves were on the hook for more than $5.8 million with Bennett, who opted for a buyout and a reduced payment in order to find an opportunity to play.