Cavaliers’ Thompson reportedly lowers contract demands, but sides remain apart

With the start of training camp just days away, Cavaliers restricted free agent Tristan Thompson has reportedly lowered his contract demands. It remains to be seen whether it sparks new dialogue in this stalemate, but it doesn’t seem likely at this point.

ESPN initially reported Thursday that Thompson signed a three-year, $53 million extension before softening the report to Thompson lowering his demands to that asking price. Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the Cavs’ thinking disputed to the Beacon Journal that a deal was done or even close to done, and one source dismissed the thought of the Cavs accepting Thompson’s new proposal since it is essentially max money, but for a shorter term.

A three-year, $53 million offer would represent the best of both worlds for Thompson all the money now, plus a shorter term and a chance to return to free agency sooner. Certainly, minds may change, but Cavs sources indicated Thursday they weren’t interested in paying max money on a shorter-term deal.

Thompson’s new demand, however, is at least a small break in this three-month staring match. The Cavs are believed to have remained steadfast in their offer of five years and $80 million, while Thompson (until Thursday) was stuck on five years and $94 million. While Thompson and his agent, Rich Paul, may have lessened the years, they haven’t really lessened the asking price in terms of annual value.

Thompson’s only alternative is to sign a one-year qualifying offer worth $7 million, effectively leaving $73 million on the table. From his vantage point, however, the Cavs have already increased their offer by about $30 million. A year ago at this time, the Cavs were reportedly offering Thompson four years and $52 million. Now the offer is five years and $80 million, which amounts to a $3 million annual increase plus the extra year that is now permitted under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Should Thompson hold out until he is an unrestricted free agent next summer, the offer could be even higher. But it’s still a huge risk to leave that much guaranteed money on the table, even for a durable 24-year-old power forward who is among the league leaders in consecutive games played.

There is still time to strike a deal, but the clock is ticking. The Cavs are scheduled to hold their media day on Monday and the first training camp practice is scheduled for Tuesday.

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