The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson have entered the later stages of the preseason and, as far as we know, they still haven’t re-engaged in contract talks. That is, until Monday night at Columbus, Ohio.
It still hasn’t been confirmed, but according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Thompson’s agent Rich Paul and Cavs’ GM David Griffin were both in attendance at Monday’s preseason matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ohio State University.
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Rich Paul is here for the Cavs game in Columbus. David Griffin is also here. Let's say we get a deal ironed out at halftime. Yeah, fellas?
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 12, 2015
There’s no word on whether the two sides met up, but we’re not going to chalk up BOTH of their appearances to a simply coincidence.
Last we heard, Tristan Thompson had lowered his 5-year, $94 million contract demand that would have paid him an average of $18.8 million per year to 3-years at $53 million (paying him an average of $17.7 million annually) while also declining the Cavs $6.4 million qualifying offer. The Cavs have offered Thompson a more than generous 5-year, $80 million contract offer that would pay him an average of $16 million per year.
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Thompson is going to sit out until this contract dispute is settled. It’s not something that the Cavs want right now, especially with championship aspirations this season, but both sides will have to work a deal out fast so that Thompson can get back to work. Sitting out doesn’t do much for him, because if he doesn’t sign a contract this season, he’ll remain a restricted free agent next summer, where the Cavs could re-sign him as well.
Stay tuned for the latest on the Cavs and the Tristan Thompson contract dispute.