Tristan Thompson

[The Human Q-Tip]

I take issue with strong-arm tactics and coercion. We all know that LeBron has Gilbert's back against a wall: "pay up or else". Clearly Gilbert has an issue with TT's current financial demands or this would have been wrapped up already.

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What a second here. If Gilbert "has an issue" with what TT is demanding and so the deal isn't done, why assume Gilbert is willing to overpay? And on the flip side, If LBJ was making truly irresistible demands, then TT would already be signed.

This is how the process often works with RFA's. The player makes a demand, the owner doesn't agree, and then nothing happens until the player signs an offer sheet. Or moderates his demand.

The point is that you're complaining too soon. If an outrageous deal was already signed, then fire away. But as long as Gilbert hasn't yet agreed to such a deal, there's really nothing to bitch about

 

[Jordan]

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What a second here. If Gilbert "has an issue" with what TT is demanding and so the deal isn't done, why assume Gilbert is willing to overpay? And on the flip side, If LBJ was making truly irresistible demands, then TT would already be signed.

This is how the process often works with RFA's. The player makes a demand, the owner doesn't agree, and then nothing happens until the player signs an offer sheet.

The point is that you're complaining too soon. If an outrageous deal was already signed, then fire away. But as long as Gilbert hasn't yet agreed to such a deal, there's really nothing to bitch about

We may be divided by an ocean on political and Middle Eastern issues, but I see we are much closer, if not on the same side, in regards to basketball

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

I think the Cavs absolutely need to re-sign Tristan.

I agree...at a respectable price

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

How are we going to improve the team if every player wants to get paid more than what they provide. Personally I think he's a 4-5yr/48-60M tops player.

In a perfectly open, free market, you'd have a point. But the salary cap means it isn't free, and the Cavs have to operate within those constraints.

One of those constraints is that you can't freely sign free agents if you're over the cap, though you can resign your own free agents. For teams that are well over the cap, like the Cavs, that inflates the value to you of your own free agents, because the cost of losing them is elevated.. In other words, TT is worth more to the Cavs than he is worth on the open market.

That's just the economic reality created by the cap.

 

[Akron OG]

None of this matters, pay him what he wants, nobody gives a shit, it's about locking down a young dynasty

 

[Paul]

In a perfectly open, free market, you'd have a point. But the salary cap means it isn't free, and the Cavs have to operate within those constraints.

One of those constraints is that you can't freely sign free agents if you're over the cap, though you can resign your own free agents. For teams that are well over the cap, like the Cavs, that inflates the value to you of your own free agents, because the cost of losing them is elevated.. In other words, TT is worth more to the Cavs than he is worth on the open market.

That's just the economic reality created by the cap.

I admit I don't fully understand the salary cap and free agency, but aren't we simply in a situation where we can wait it out and match the best offer or slightly exceed it to secure TT's services? It seems like this should be a relatively stress free process for the Cavs. All they have to do is let things play out.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

I admit I don't fully understand the salary cap and free agency, but aren't we simply in a situation where we can wait it out and match the best offer or slightly exceed it to secure TT's services? It seems like this should be a relatively stress free process for the Cavs. All they have to do is let things play out.

That's what they should have done in the first place regarding TT. I have a hard time believing anybody offers him anything close to what we already have.

 

[Jordan]

I agree...at a respectable price

So, let's say the Spurs (can be any team) don't get Aldridge and offer TT $16 mil per year do you match? I absolutely do. I have no issue with letting TT find an offer somewhere else and Cavs match, in fact I think it is smart, as long as we agree we will re-sign him. As @The Human Q-Tip said, because of the NBA cap, TT is worth much more to us than to any other team. If we lose him we lose a player who we cannot replace. Both because of his talent and because we are over the cap.

 

[Paul]

So, let's say the Spurs (can be any team) don't get Aldridge and offer TT $16 mil per year do you match? I absolutely do. I have no issue with letting TT find an offer somewhere else and Cavs match, in fact I think it is smart, as long as we agree we will re-sign him. As @The Human Q-Tip said, because of the NBA cap, TT is worth much more to us than to any other team. If we lose him we lose a player who we cannot replace. Both because of his talent and because we are over the cap.

I agree we absolutely match whatever offer he gets, with the possible exception of a max deal or near max deal, but it only seems logical to force another team to stick it's neck out like that. It's a huge gamble for a team to lay that kind of money on the table and hope we match it.

 

[Lysander]

Yes, but TT also has leverage wherein addition to being a cherished piece of this team, he could take the qualifying offer and bet on himself once again to earn an even bigger pay day the following season as an unrestricted free agent. Regardless, I think they will hash this out soon. I doubt either side wants it to drag out.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

So, let's say the Spurs (can be any team) don't get Aldridge and offer TT $16 mil per year do you match? I absolutely do. I have no issue with letting TT find an offer somewhere else and Cavs match, in fact I think it is smart, as long as we agree we will re-sign him. As @The Human Q-Tip said, because of the NBA cap, TT is worth much more to us than to any other team. If we lose him we lose a player who we cannot replace. Both because of his talent and because we are over the cap.

Absolutely...then the market has spoken and we begrudgingly but wisely pay to retain him. That puts everything in perspective vs. just giving him an outrageous offer from the get-go and letting him play hardball with us from there.

 

[Jordan]

Absolutely...then the market has spoken and we begrudgingly pay to retain him. That puts everything in perspective vs. just giving him an outrageous offer from the get-go and letting him play hardball with us from there.

Okay, then, Surprisingly enough we agree. Same with you @Paul.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I admit I don't fully understand the salary cap and free agency, but aren't we simply in a situation where we can wait it out and match the best offer or slightly exceed it to secure TT's services? It seems like this should be a relatively stress free process for the Cavs. All they have to do is let things play out.

Yes. Except the risk is that he just signs the QO, and we're faced with a potentially much larger cost to keep him next year, and without having the absolute right to match.

 

[Jordan]

Yes. Except the risk is that he just signs the QO, and we're faced with a potentially much larger cost to keep him next year, and without having the absolute right to match.

Could we let him test and see? If he doesn't get any bait then, but still won't budge in negotiations with us, could we come back and offer what he wants? Not saying I think we should go that route -- this is actually kind of why I want to sign him now -- just a general question.

 

[Los216]

Yes. Except the risk is that he just signs the QO, and we're faced with a potentially much larger cost to keep him next year, and without having the absolute right to match.

I'd take that risk.