Tristan Thompson

[Paul]

I hope TT signs for the QO this year and if that means that he elects to leave the Cavs the year after, then so be it. His contract demands are absurd and will potentially force out Mozgov and or JR in the future. I looked at the payroll for 2016-2017 and it looked like we could end up paying over 130 in salary (not factoring in tax/penalties) if we keep Mozgov and TT and JR. The cap for that year is estimated at 88 mil.

We have the Bird rights so we can offer Tristan the largest max contract, but that doesn't seem that helpful to me if I'm understanding the situation right. If we were desperate for TT's services we could offer him the most tempting financial offer, but Tristan isn't worth the max to us IMO because he won't even be starting.

It seems like Rich Paul was maybe hoping that there would be more of a market for TT outside of the Cavs. Griffin probably told them that he would let the market decide Tristan's value. There has been no one willing to step in and offer big money for Tristan. Why should the Cavs bid against themselves when doing so may impair their ability to retain Mozgov in the future?

We may not be able to find a replacement for Tristan that is as good as him, but we can find someone serviceable, and if we play Love 33 mins and Mozgov 25 mins and can get say a combined 25 mins out of Kaun and Andy, how many minutes would we really need to give this serviceable TT replacement? Plus we have LeBron who can play the 4 if needed. Veterans will be interested in playing for a contender in 2016-2017 so I am sure we can find someone on the cheap or we can get someone halfway decent with the Haywood TPE.

To me, the best scenario (although I grant it's unlikely) is that we get TT on the QO offer for this year and then sign and trade him the year after to recoup a bit of assets for him. His contract demands seem to price him out of his usefulness for the Cavs.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Eh, LBJ is getting older every year, and next year may well be our very best chance to win a title. If we win one with TT and re-sign those guys, great. But if we win it all and don't re-sign him, it's not going to ruin my celebration.

And if we still don't win it this coming season even with TT, then i really wouldn't shed any tears over TT walking to some other team anyway, because we'll clearly have some bigger problems elsewhere.

 

[PedroFlu]

His agent's demands are completely unreasonable.

1) We still have a lower cap to work with. The owner will be in luxury tax. You deal according to this cap. If you really wanna test the next market, shouldn't even entered negotiations - should have signed the QO already.

2) Initial offer from Cavs: 5/70. Initial demand from Paul: 5/94. Midground: 5/80. It is already an overpay and the guy can't accept it?

Just let him sign the QO. It's definitely bad business for him. For the Cavs, possibly, but they may find a way to replace him.

 

[CavsFTW]

This is terrible news. I will sorely miss Thompson's offensive rebounding and his... and... and...

Well...

I will miss his offensive rebounding.

 

[NasstyNate]

I knew you guys would eventually come around.

 

[Ohio]

Remember when that guy Gourimoko said "we better trade Tristan while we have the chance, he's going to demand a fortune and we'd be better off getting value while we can."

Remember how many folks said .. "Noo.. He's not going to get anything more than $12M!"

Lol...

Hope this is a lesson to many of you out there. Don't get emotionally attached to these players. We should've traded Tristan at last years deadline before all of this happened. A backup specialist big on a $94M contract...

fuck outta here...

Well, lets see what actually happens first. I'm personally not buying into Rich Paul's laughable ultimatum.

 

[Lee]

I am not worried about Tristan leaving

Not that i dont think he wont, he might, but i think he is the 6th most important player on team, so no need to pay him like he is 4th.

I am worried about Moz leaving. What he provides is far harder to replace and far more valuable.

That all said, TT playing these games with his future allows the cavs to give Moz a near max deal

 

[JSS2306]

If this guy has any semblance of an offensive game I'd say he'd be worth it but he doesn't. While he works hard, grabs important boards, and defends pretty well for a big man on the perimeter, his numbers are probably skewed due to the fact that he has the pieces around him to be the teams garbage man.

I thought 80 million was too much but this is insane. Let the guy walk.

 

[T C]

TT is worth what Farried gets. Same type of player, all hustle. 5/70 take it or leave it.

 

[PIP]

Only care about next season anyways.....

 

[JSS2306]

See what loyalty gets you?

Bent over.

94m or else bro... loyalty.

Let's not forget the LeBron factor. Guy signs a contract for 2 years with a player option for his 2nd and then his liaison sticks a 94 million contract demand up Gilberts ass.

That's fucked up any way you slice it.

 

[godfather]

I am not worried about Tristan leaving

Not that i dont think he wont, he might, but i think he is the 6th most important player on team, so no need to pay him like he is 4th.

I am worried about Moz leaving. What he provides is far harder to replace and far more valuable.

That all said, TT playing these games with his future allows the cavs to give Moz a near max deal

That's what the Cavs must be thinking too, in regards of their talks with Tristan. They can't just overpay him.

Because with Mozgov, they can't afford to lose at all. They traded 2 first round picks for him, and he is critical to what we do. Losing him, we take a clear step back.

Mozgov won't come cheap, and the Cavs have to be in the mindset of paying him a lot of money. If we lose Mozgov, and have nothing to replace him with (which I have no idea who we'd replace him with if that happens), we probably can't compete for a title.

If we lose Tristan, I don't think he deeply affects our ability to still compete for a title.

 

[HurricaneKid]

Keep in mind Paul did this exact same thing with his (only?) other client last year in Bledsoe. He waited until the last possible moment, demanding a 5 yr max and got what he could after threatening to take the QO. There is NO CHANCE a backup like TT eschews 80M+ in guaranteed income to take 7M and go back to the bench when the front court is STACKED, for his contract year.

He showed some GREAT attributes when KLove went down but he isn't worth this kind of money in any system. He needs to accept the Cavs offer and he needs to do it before they pull it (which is what they need to threaten).

The funny thing is even if Port signs him to a max offer sheet, its STILL only 4/70. And the resounding silence at that price is deafening.

The truth is the best value the Cavs can extract from this is to pay him the QO next year and then let him go elsewhere.

 

[Captain S]

He's a MUCH better player no doubt but he suffered a major potentially career changing injury. And he turned down more money from the Kings.

I think he was just trying to explain why the fear of injury isn't what it used to be in regards to playing on a one year deal.

In fat he was only given his current salary becuase deandre bailed if not he'd only be making around 14-15 PER YEAR

 

[BigJ]

Honestly i love TT i really do. But he is not worth what he/his agent seems to be insisting on(what would it be 5/95?).. the offer our FO made in rumours at 5/80-83 was already an overpay just to get him back quick and quiet and be done with it.

Also he is not worth this back and forth.

I love TT as i said and would prefer to have him on board long term.. BUT: if you are NOT a Megastar like Lebron or Love.. you have NO buisness at all on a contending Team to ask for a deal that is just 15-20 mio off from Kevin Love.

It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I mean take the 5/70 and be one of the best paid reserves in the NBA. But nope not even the 5/80 seemingly was good enough.

TT is hurting his image at least to my eyes right now. considering what he leaves on the Table Love took technically a huge paycut for the chance to win rings with Lebron. Thats the way i like it.

I get that players want the most they can get but there is a line where you have to controll youre human greed and see the Big picture that you might have to sacrifice some for the sake of winning.

If TT values money that much that 5/80 on a Contender in a role where his still limited offense isnt even needed is not enticing to him... well then i dont know what to say.

Well lets see how this plays out. Mozgov over the 3-5 year "win the first ring asap as long Lebron is in his prime" period is more important imo so IF TT chooses to leave then we can lock up Mozgov without worries and maybe use the Trade Exeption to look for a cheaper replacement for TT. We wouldnt find a great replacement TT is elite at Offensive Rebounding and P&R defense but overall we would be ok.

Overall i hope TT realises his Agent is horrible at representing NON Megastar Players. Paul seemingly has no clue TT is barley more than a role player. Not even borderline All Star level if his offense isnt taking a huge leap. You cant negotiate Lebron and TT the same way.

On behalf of Lebron you can be balls out demand 50% of Dan Gilberts fortune and Tyranny over Cleveland if you so chose^^ on behalf of TT you should play a quieter tune