Tristan Thompson Signing Qualifying Offer With Cavaliers? News & Rumors Here!

Tristan Thompson is not expected to go anywhere though the Cavs center has yet to sign on the dotted line to make it official.

Though it is widely believed that Thompson is likely to sign the qualifying offer that would be offered to him, the matter of whether it will be a long-term or short-term contract is seen as the only thing left unsettled.

Only Thompson and JR Smith are the remaining players who the Cavs plan to bring back though the case of Smith could be a bit more complicated since the swingman opted out of his contract with the Cavs after the last NBA season.

As far as Thompson is concerned, there is a chance he could be given a near-max contract though such has to be confirmed. The Cavs have practically used all that up with Lebron James and Kevin Love and one thing that the team is avoiding is the dreaded luxury tax penalty which seems to be where Dan Gilbert and the Cavs are heading.

If both sides fail to come to terms, a likely scenario would see Thompson sign a one-year deal which could be similar to what guard Matthew Delladedova did just last week.

As far as numbers go, Thompson could likely get a higher paycheck (roughly $6.8 million).

Thompson did jack up his numbers in the playoffs but is considered a vital cog for the Cavs who plan to make another go at the NBA title.

James did mentioned earlier before he signed his contract that he wanted Thompson back in the lineup. Both James and Thompson are handled by the same agent, Rich Paul.

Thompson may not be as flashy or efficient as Kevin Love but the 24-year-old Canadian who was drafted fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft has shown how he can help the team out in other departments.

As far as his financial value is concerned, there are some who question on whether Thompson is worthy to be given a max-deal. Thompson is likely to be played in the same way he was last season, off the bench.

He is more of a role player that does the ‘little things’ (i.e. rebound, block, and second-chance points). With that said, some are divided on whether Thompson would be worth a max deal considering the numbers he has put up.

Last season, Thompson averaged 8.5 point and 8 rebounds per game though he did jack up those numbers to 10 points and 11 rebounds per game in the playoffs. Thompson was forced to do so after Kevin Love went down with a shoulder injury in the Cavs’ first round meeting with the Boston Celtics.

Regardless, the Cavs and Thompson are likely to come to terms and from the looks of it, the best scenario is for the 24-year-old big man to sign a one-year deal and then renegotiate next year for a longer and more lucrative deal if he shows he deserves one this coming season.