As the Tristan Thompson contract saga continues, the Cavs healthy core players are in Miami without him working out to prepare for training camp. Thompson’s situation is awkward, and made more so by his agent Rich Paul claiming that he will leave Cleveland next summer if he has to sign a 1-year qualifying offer. The Cavs’ front office has held firm at their offer of 5 years and $80 million dollars, but Thompson turned down an extension last year and seems prepared to do so again this year.
Here’s what he would make annually on the 5-year, $80 million deal (per Hoops Rumors):
2015/16: $13,913,044
2016/17: $14,956,522
2017/18: $16,000,001
2018/19: $17,043,479
2019/20: $18,086,957
Total: $80,000,000
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Thompson isn’t being courted by that many teams right now, but if he were to sign a max offer sheet as a restricted free agent, which the Cavs can match, here’s how much he would make annually (per Hoops Rumors):
2015/16: $16,407,500
2016/17: $17,145,838
2017/18: $17,844,175
2018/19: $18,622,513
Total: $70,060,025
Thompson’s options are still interesting, and in some ways seem to play into the Cavs hands. His first option would be to take the offer the Cavs have pitched at 5 years and $80 million. According to ESPN Insider Brian Windhorst, that number is about $14 million shy of the power forward’s $94 million asking price. Thompson turned a 4-year, $52 million extension last summer, and earned a higher pay grade. But did he earn the extra $42 million he is asking for, or just the extra $28 million that the Cavs are offering.
Here’s how much Thompson would make annually on a 5-year, $94 million deal (per Hoops Rumors):
2015/16: $16,407,500
2016/17: $17,638,063
2017/18: $18,868,625
2018/19: $20,099,188
2019/20: $21,329,750
Total: $94,343,125
The irony of this stalemate between the two sides is that no other team could currently offer a deal higher than $70 million over 4 years, because of Thompson’s Bird Rights being retained by Cleveland. As far as guaranteed money goes, the Cavs 5 year, $80 million offer is the best one currently on the table. Here’s how much Thompson
Thompson may in fact elect to sign a qualifying offer for one year and slightly less than $7 million. If he does that, his agent Rich Paul has stated that he will leave Cleveland for another team offering a max contract.
Here’s how much Thompson would make annually on a qualifying offer, then a signing a max deal with another team (per Hoops Rumors):
2015/16: $6,777,589
2016/17: $20,400,000
2017/18: $21,318,000
2018/19: $22,236,000
2019/20: $23,154,000
Total: $93,885,589
While this scenario has been mentioned as a likely possibility, there are some rumors out there that other teams are in no way willing to offer Tristan Thompson a max contract.
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If the Cavs are able to win a championship, and Thompson decides he would like to remain with the Cavs, he could possibly re-sign for 5 years at $124 million.
Here’s how much Thompson would make annually on a qualifying offer, then a re-sign with the Cavs on a 5-year, $124 million deal (per Hoops Rumors, based on projections):
2015/16: $6,777,589
2016/17: $20,400,000
2017/18: $21,930,000
2018/19: $23,460,000
2019/20: $24,990,000
2020/21: $26,520,000
Total: $124,077,589
With the potential for this scenario, Thompson would again be betting on himself to outplay an $80 million offer. While his defensive presence and energy in the playoffs was outstanding, his skill set doesn’t put him in the conversation with some of the best power forwards in the league. He doesn’t have Zach Randolph’s or Pau Gasol’s ability to score in the post. He doesn’t have Blake Griffin’s playmaking ability or explosiveness. He doesn’t have Kevin Love’s or Chris Bosh’s 3-point range.
It is wise for the Cavs to allow this to work itself out. If we end up losing Tristan Thompson because he is too expensive, then so be it. There could still be some options at back up power forward for us to sign at a much cheaper deal.