Cleveland Cavaliers rumors: Cavs made offer to Tristan Thompson

The Cleveland Cavaliers are said to have made an offer to Tristan Thompson.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to have made an offer to free agent Tristan Thompson, but the organization didn’t meet 2016 champion’s price.

The number was just below what Thompson was looking for, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

The longtime basketball scribe appeared on WKNR’s Really Big Show Oct. 29 (subscription). He didn’t give a number and was hesitant to call this “news,” because players aren’t aloud to sign right now, so he went politician with his words.

"“I am confident that Tristan Thompson has the framework that he can return to the Cavs, but as of right now, that framework isn’t at the level of compensation that he wants it.”"

Windhorst then said he guessed Thompson would end up on the market, but added that it depends on who the Cavs take in the NBA Draft Nov. 18.

The Cavs could very well select a big man. Andre Drummond is likely to opt into his $28.5 million contract. If these two scenarios both unfold, there’s no need to pay Thompson.

Alas, the Cavs could always trade Thompson to a contender, but it remains to be seen which teams will be willing to take on money with the ongoing economic uncertainty.

For the duration of the 2019-2020 season, there was talk about the Cavs wanting to retain Thompson, and there were even stories where Thompson made it known the feeling was reciprocated.

The Twittersphere is trying to tie Thompson into a reunion with LeBron James and Lakers, but there’s an indication Thompson is still tied to the organization.

While he didn’t participate in the Cavs’ camp toward the end of summer, Windhorst said that he did attend a team function while it was going on.

Thompson averaged a career high 12.1 points per game last season with the Cavs, while grabbing 10.1 rebounds per game. He was selected No. 4 by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft.