Report: Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson agree to new contract

After a long holdout, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson finally came to terms.

For months, the Cavaliers and forward Tristan Thompson had gone back and forth over a new deal for the four-year veteran. The Cavs offered him five years, $82 million to stay but Thompson felt he was worth more and wanted over $90 million. Cleveland wasn’t willing to go that high, leading to a standoff between the two sides.

Thompson has always been a favorite of Cavs star LeBron James. Ownership has looked to do whatever it takes to make King James happy, so re-signing the University of Texas alumnus was a priority.

Well, according to Cavs Beat Reporter Chris Haynes, Thompson and the Cavs have agreed to a new deal.

The staggering part about this is what Haynes said in the second Tweet. Most wouldn’t consider Thompson a top-6 power forward, top-10 or even top-15 at the position. However, it seems the Cavs (and Thompson) felt differently about his value, leading to the high price tag.

Now Thompson’s deal likely sets other contracts in motion at the power forward position. Thompson, who averaged 10.1 point per games and 8.4 rebounds per game, will cause power forward’s with higher totals due for a new contract to far exceed what he got. The rising salary cap also plays a role in this.

With this big money being given to Thompson, it will be interesting to see if the Cavs’ ability to sign players down the line is affected. For it not to be, it will be up to Thompson to play up to the contract or have the franchise deal with an ugly salary on the books.