Tristan Thompson

[The Oi]

TT averaged 4.5 offensive rebounds and 11.4 points per 36 minutes this season. Mozgov averaged 3.5 offensive rebounds and 15.2 points per 36 minutes this season. Kevin Love averaged 2 offensive rebounds and 17.5 points per 36 minutes. So at most, we are talking about a difference in 2.5 offensive rebounds between a specialist and your average big. Since we score about 1 point per possession, this is additional 2.5 points. You can add this to TT's stat line and you get 13.9 points per 36 minutes. This is not something you pay 16-18 million dollars for. Maybe TT's defense is really good, and that's why he will be payed so much, but let's not overplay the offensive rebounds angle.

I agree that whatever he's getting paid is going to be too much...in a bubble as @DougHeil put it.

You really have to consider, in addition to the boards he grabs, the amount of fouls he draws on other teams bigs. Just on boards and hustle alone it's gotta be around 5 total per game.

There's also value that he can very successfully defend both the pick and pop offensive players due to his height and athleticism.

And finally, there is an element of deflation of an opponents momentum hat comes out of the way TT beasts on the boards.

LeBron wants him...the Cavs want him...he's young...he's never injured...he's a great team player...he's always improving...and finally, Glbert's got the money.

Just get him back. Pay him just enough to keep him.

 

[LoveStan]

Now I know why everyone wants to play with LeBron.

 

[Birdy89]

he's never injured

If I were Rich Paul I would be hammering this home to Griffin in negotiations.

Availability is probably his best selling point. We have handed out massive deals to guys who can't always be counted on when needed most, so if I'm TT I am driving home the point that at least you know he'll be out there come hell or high water when we need him most.

That has to be worth alot to the team.

 

[Kyrieville]

Old cap Tristan is a $10 mil/year player

New cap, Tristan is a $15 mil/year player

Give him $90 million and look at the extra $3 million/year as a wash, since LeBron is so grossly underpaid.

 

[elcheato]

Old cap Tristan is a $10 mil/year player

New cap, Tristan is a $15 mil/year player

Give him $90 million and look at the extra $3 million/year as a wash, since LeBron is so grossly underpaid.

I know people love to talk about the "new cap", but that 10 to 15 conversion is simply not true until 2017-2018, and by then Thompson will on the 3rd year of his contract.

 

[I LOVE YOU ABBY]

Wow, my interest rate on my house just went from 4.5 % to 135%. That's weird...

Sometimes negotiations take a while. Both sides have a degree of leverage. I think the Cavs have more. I imagine a deal will get done sooner than later.

 

[Kyrieville]

I know people love to talk about the "new cap", but that 10 to 15 conversion is simply not true until 2017-2018, and by then Thompson will on the 3rd year of his contract.

Next year's conversion is 10 to 13ish. The fact is, most of the years of his deal fall under a large cap increase, and he and his agent know it. They also know the Player's Union is planning to strike if they do not get offered a larger portion of the BRI.

Besides, we're not just signing Tristan, we're signing LeBron by signing Tristan. So pay the man what LeBron wants him to be paid and deal with it. The next CBA will most likely offer an amnesty, so at worst, he can he wiped from the books if need be.

 

[Danny Arison]

Next year's conversion is 10 to 13ish. The fact is, most of the years of his deal fall under a large cap increase, and he and his agent know it. They also know the Player's Union is planning to strike if they do not get offered a larger portion of the BRI.

Besides, we're not just signing Tristan, we're signing LeBron by signing Tristan. So pay the man what LeBron wants him to be paid and deal with it. The next CBA will most likely offer an amnesty, so at worst, he can he wiped from the books if need be.

Wait, so you are telling me if we don't sign TT or "low ball" him, Lebron is not signing either?
Ok

 

[Kyrieville]

Sometimes negotiations take a while. Both sides have a degree of leverage. I think the Cavs have more. I imagine a deal will get done sooner than later.

The Cavs have leverage, because the only other team with cap room to offer him a similar per year salary is the Blazers, and even then, Tristan would be leaving ~$20 million guaranteed on the table (5/80 vs 4/60).

However, LeBron's antics neutralize that leverage. So, the Cavs have to deal with it and just pay him.

 

[Kyrieville]

Wait, so you are telling me if we don't sign TT or "low ball" him, Lebron is not signing either?
Ok

Would you be willing to call LeBron on is bluff and risk him walking over a measly $5-$10 million over 5 years for Tristan? LeBron left Miami because Arison got greedy.

 

[Tornicade]

I dont think the money is a big factor in the contract hold up, Gilbert and griffin seem more than willing to give him the money. I think the delay is over options and trade kickers.
just my opinion.

As far as the Mozgov VS Thompson thing .. in terms of Value Thompson is more valuable.

Mozgov is not gonna give you more than 30 minutes a game and he is not able to guard multiple positions.

Tristan has to be accounted for every play on the offensive end. The Bulls, Hawks and Golden state basically tired to chain him down on both ends of the court.

Tristan wasnt just doing this once Love went down. It was just blatantly more obvious.

Thompson has nowhere near peaked. He is learning and recognizing the tricks of the trade that veterans like Paul Milsop employed regularly to limit Thompsons Athleticism.

Those tricks didnt work in the playoffs against Atlanta because Thompson has taken the next step in his development.

Mozgov is also gonna be 29 next year and has peaked athletically. Thompson is 24 and hasnt entered his prime at all.

Value wise you get that 5 year contract from Thompson and benefit as his all around game continues to Grow.

Contact stuff Aside. What I would like to see is Thompson work on his passing in the paint and continue his strides with his dribbling and I hope someone is working some three man drills with him every day on finishing tip ins and more above the rim work.

 

[Omar The Horse]

The Cavs have leverage, because the only other team with cap room to offer him a similar per year salary is the Blazers, and even then, Tristan would be leaving ~$20 million guaranteed on the table (5/80 vs 4/60).

However, LeBron's antics neutralize that leverage. So, the Cavs have to deal with it and just pay him.

There's always the qualifying offer though. Tristan/Rich can still accept it as a last means sort of thing. He'd be an unrestricted free agent next year.

That will piss off both sides...including LeBron. That's why the Cavs don't have much leverage here.

 

[Kyrieville]

There's always the qualifying offer though. Tristan/Rich can still accept it as a last means sort of thing. He'd be an unrestricted free agent next year.

That will piss off both sides...including LeBron. That's why the Cavs don't have much leverage here.

Indeed. It's better to just keep LeBron happy and pay up.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I understand the risks, but if I'm DG, I don't go over $80m/5. LBJ isn't going anywhere this year, and neither is TT. If he decides to play 2015-16 at the QO, fine. Overpay more next summer if you really have to, but pushing back that jump in pay for the QO to $15m or so for even one year saves a lot in taxes. And, you're one year closer to Andy dropping off.

Being held up by a superstar for his own money is fine. Being held up by the superstar so his agent buddy gets a bigger cut of someone else's salary is not. If I'm DG, that just bugs me too much, and I'd take the chance of salving hurt feelings next off season.

This isn't Mickey Arison being a cheap bastard, demanding superstar concessions, and then letting MM walk. DG is being anything but cheap. And while as owner, I'm willing to let LBJ tell me who he wants to play with, telling me how much I have to pay them would be the proverbial Bridge too Far.

Admittedly, that's not a rigidly pragmatic POV. But I don't think guys who own sports teams are always rigidly rational pragmatic anyway. They have at least some ego.

ETA: LBJ lost some leverage when Love re-signed.

 

[Evgeni]

What would be the payroll next year if Mozgov gets similar money too? Anyone ventures a guess?