From the looks of it, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson may be headed to an imminent divorce as negotiations seemingly fall on a stalemate heading into NBA training camp.
To date, there is no word on what the Cavs' plan is as far as the 24-year-old Canadian's status is concerned. Could they be giving in to Thompson's $94 million for five years demand or standing pat on the $80 million for five years offer?
From the looks of it, Thompson hasn't changed his mind on it and unless he gets what he wants, then he may likely be leaving Cleveland soon or next year at the latest.
Why next year? Well, he does have the option to take a qualifying offer worth $6.8 million and then jump ship next year. However, if one thinks of it and if that should be the case, why would the Cavs gamble on someone who is imminently lost next season?
If so, Thompson could likely end up being traded somewhere in the coming season so as to simplify things, why bother?
But the next question that comes to mind is if this unfortunate development affects Lebron James' stint with the Cavs as well.
Recall that James batted for Thompson to be included in the lineup, a demand he made before signing up during free agency. But it seems that James didn't stand pat on that and signed up anyway with Thompson's fate still unknown then until now.
Moving forward, would James be inclined to leave as well like he did in 2010 when he joined the Miami Heat?
Maybe this excerpt from a report by the Bleacher Report by Ric Buechler can shed some light.
"I'm told that, privately, the Cavaliers are convinced that LeBron cannot afford to break Cleveland's hearts a second time and leave and therefore does not have the leverage that everybody supposes he has."
Case in point, James doesn't look like he is leaving Ohio until he delivers his promise — to hand Dan Gilbert and the Cavs a championship trophy.
Such could happen this year if it follows the same trend James had with the Heat in 2010. He helped the team in 2011 win the NBA title and again in 2012. Could that be the same script for Cleveland?
If so, where does this leave Thompson? And again, is he worth a max contract? For now, it seems the Cavs are torn between agreeing to that and not.
