It’s been quite a while since we’ve heard anything regarding the contract negotiations between the Cleveland Cavaliers and restricted free agent Tristan Thompson. Within hours of free agency opening up, word leaked the two sides were finalizing a deal. However, this report was shot down, no deal was made, and there really hasn’t been too much in terms of development since.
The latest deal the Cavs offered is reportedly for five years and around $80 million. This is a significant increase from the $52 million offer Cleveland made Thompson last October. Yet, Thompson is still of the belief he deserves more.
One of the more obvious angles of this now-stagnant negotiation is Thompson’s reliance on sharing an agent with LeBron James and utilizing it as leverage. It’s pretty clear Thompson is using this as a way to try and earn more money than his market value. Such a plan was a little easier before James re-signed with the Cavs, but has since lost some power now that he’s back in the fold.
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