Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

What Role Does LeBron James Have In Tristan Thompson Contract Talks

By Nick Dudukovich

facebooktwitterreddit

A popular myth many fans want to believe is LeBron James has major influence in the Tristan Thompson contract talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This logic is built on two legs:

1.) LeBron friend, and agent, Rich Paul represents Thompson. Paul left CAA to start his own agency, Klutch Sports. If Thompson gets more money, so does Paul.

2.) One reason James left the Miami Heat was that owner Mickey Arison didn’t want to go into the luxury tax to keep Mike Miller. The Heat lost The Finals to the Spurs in James’ final season on South Beach. It’s been reported that James couldn’t fathom how the owner would let money get in the way of making NBA History–which is what the Heat would’ve done had they won three-straight Larry O’Brien trophies.

So as the conspiracy theories go, speculation states that if LeBron is going to be a long-term fixture at The Q, Dan Gilbert must do anything and everything to keep his superstar happy. That would include throwing an inflated contract at a player that’s good at rebounding, and not much else.

“I don’t think LeBron James wants them to sign Tristan Thompson to a max contract, to be frank with you. I really don’t.

When LeBron returned to the Cavs, the value of the franchise doubled to $1 billion, according to reports. Of course Gilbert wants to please to James, but maybe Gilbert–and James, aren’t willing to sacrifice long-term flexibility for a player whose game is one-dimensional, no matter who is agent is.

"“LeBron James could give a hoot with what happens to Tristan Thompson,” AmicoHoops.net founder Sam Amico said on Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan."

Amico contends that Paul doesn’t call the shots in the James’ life. Remember, the agent wanted LeBron to stay with the Cavaliers back in 2010. Obviously, his opinion wasn’t the determing factor because James signed with Miami.

Amico believes that if James had a problem with Thompson’s negotiation, he would’ve done something to send a message during this own contract talks:

"“If LeBron James had a problem with Tristan Thompson’s situation, LeBron James would’ve been more vocal about it by holding out a little longer and not signing right away and saying we need to get Tristan signed. It’s pretty clear…they are all their own separate entities and I’m sure LeBron is approaching is that way. I don’t think he is saying we must get Tristan back in here at the price he wants. I think he’s letting it play out and staying out of it.”"

Partnerships between players are often rumored, but rarely come to fruition. Remember Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook to the Lakers? How’s that working out?

James knows that to keep retooling in the NBA, you’ve got to have some financial freedom. What works in the playoffs this year, might now be so advantageous in three years, when faces change, bodies get older and injuries mount up.

And that’s the point Amico made:

"“I don’t think LeBron James wants them to sign Tristan Thompson to a max contract, to be frank with you. I really don’t. It’s going to mess some of their very limited flexibility right now and LeBron is not saying, ‘Make sure you get this guy overpaid so it affects the rest of our team’s flexibility.’ I think he’s staying out of it, I really do…LeBron James wants what’s best for No. 1, which is himself, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.”"

It’s hard to get caught up in debating what kind of money Thompson should ultimately receive. I mean, who cares, it’s not our money, right? But being able to make changes to the roster is a necessity for the Cavs to be title contenders for the next three to four seasons.

Do you really want $15 million tied up to a 31-year-old Thompson  when James is 37? At that point, you’re probably going to need some scoring help with James in the Golden Years of his NBA life.

Does James want Thompson back? Of course, he’s made it known publicly. But he also knows what a loaded contract would do to the roster. If Tristan can get it, that’s fine, but from the way Amico talks, The King isn’t going to get involved either way.

Next: Cavs, Warriors: The Rematch

More from Factory of Sadness

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers