Tristan Thompson remains unsigned, despite the Cavaliers reportedly offering him a contract worth $75-80 million over five years. Thompson is rumored to be holding out for a max contract, and may sign a one-year qualifying offer, according to Cleveland.com.
Thompson would be betting on himself by signing the qualifying offer, and hoping for a bigger deal in the summer of 2016 when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Thompson's role increased in the postseason when Kevin Love was lost to a shoulder injury, and he proved vital to Cleveland's run to the NBA Finals.
LeBron James Is Helping Akron Kids Go To College
Last year Thompson averaged 8.5 points and eight rebounds on 54.7 percent shooting. In the playoffs, he put up 9.6 points and 10.8 rebounds, shot 55.8 percent from the field, and became a more impactful defender (1.2 blocks). The jury is out on whether those numbers justify a max contract, however, even if the salary cap is set to expand and decrease the impact of max contracts signed this offseason.
Thompson signing the qualifying offer would be following the path Bucks forward Greg Monroe illuminated; he turned down long-term offers from the Pistons, and played well enough to land a three-year, $50 million deal from Milwaukee this offseason.
LeBron Confirms He'd Like To Do Space Jam 2
Thompson could have a more difficult path to proving his worth than Monroe did. Thompson is not a starter for Cleveland when the roster is healthy; Love has the power forward spot locked up, and center Anderson Varejao will be back.
Thompson is also a limited offensive player. He is dynamic in the pick-and-roll, but he struggles as a post-up option, and posted a PER about six points less than Monroe's.
Thompson and his agent Rich Paul will have to decide whether the security of the offer on the table, or the potential windfall of a salary cap that could expand by 30 percent, is the way to go.
For more content, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN or LIKE US on Facebook
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
