Tristan Thompson decided to decline the Cavs qualifying offer, a deal that had to be signed by midnight last night, making him a restricted free agent. It appeared earlier this week that Thompson and the team were close to getting things done but apparently, not so much.
@IamJoeSports
Clearly the reports of Tristan being willing to accept a smaller long term deal last week were incorrect. With this move there is a chance he doesn’t even play for the Cavs this year as he could look for trade partners or sign a deal with another team. Since he is restricted that means the Cavs would have the option to match any deal he is offered, if that were to happen.
Still, general manager David Griffin is being optimistic about getting things solved.
“We fully expect (Friday) he’ll be here in some form or fashion and we’re excited to get going,” Griffin told NBA TV during a live broadcast of Thursday’s Cavs practice. “We’re hopeful that he wants to move forward with his teammates in the same way we want to have Tristan here. If we can come to some agreement we will.”
The two sides remained separated this week on a long-term deal. Contracts are fairly rigid under the collective bargaining agreement, making holdouts rare in the NBA — although they do happen. Anderson Varejao’s bitter contract dispute spilled into December in 2007 before he finally signed a three-year, $17 million offer sheet with the Charlotte Bobcats that was quickly matched by the Cavs.
“It wasn’t easy for me. I missed the first 21 games if I remember,” Varejao said Thursday. “But I had to do it back then because I felt like I was disrespected with the offer they offered me. I don’t really know what’s going on with Tristan right now, numbers and stuff, I’m not sure. But I’m pretty confident he will be here soon.” […] LeBron James twice in recent days also said he was optimistic the two sides would reach agreement on a long-term deal sooner than later.
Things are definitely going to be interesting in Cleveland until this situation is resolved. Tristan wants his money and he doesn’t appear to be backing down from that.
