Just hours after an ESPN.com report on the contract impasse between the Cavs and Tristan Thompson, agent Rich Paul has told Sportsnet’s Michael Grange that Thompson is seriously considering taking Cleveland’s qualifying offer, and if he does that, he will not be back next season.
To clarify earlier tweet: Thompson negotiations are on-going BUT -- if he has to settle for QO offer, he will not return to Cavs in 16-17
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) August 10, 2015
"All I know is TT on Qualifying Offer will be his last year with the Cavs" -- Rich Paul on Tristan Thompson negotiations.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) August 10, 2015
The qualifying offer for Thompson is about $6.8 million. In the short term, it would be a huge break for Cleveland that their already enormous luxury-tax bill won’t also include a max deal for Thompson. Long-term, it casts his future with the team in doubt.
Next summer, the salary cap is expected to jump by as much as $20 million, which will give most of the teams in the league cap space. Inevitably, someone who doesn’t get one of the top-level free agents (such as Kevin Durant) will overpay for a second-tier name, and Thompson is in perfect position to capitalize on the demand that will be created. He’s going to get paid, whether in Cleveland or elsewhere.
If Thompson signs the qualifying offer, the Cavs’ options are limited. They can’t trade him without his consent (the collective bargaining agreement gives players who sign the qualifying offer veto power over trades).
This is a strong leverage play from Paul, going on the record to say that his client will leave the Cavs if he signs the qualifying offer. The Cavs’ options are now two: they can either give Thompson the max deal he wants, or lose him next summer without the option of trading him anywhere he doesn’t want to go. Neither situation is ideal, but Thompson is an important role player for the Cavs. The better option is probably to pay him now.
