Report: Cavaliers optimistic of extension with Tristan Thompson
The Cleveland Cavaliers are optimistic they can reach an agreement with forward Tristan Thompson on a contract extension before Friday, reports the Associated Press' Tom Withers.
If the two sides can't agree on an extension by Friday, Thompson will become a restricted free agent next summer, in which case the Cavaliers would have the right to match any offer from another team.
It was reported Monday that contract talks between Thompson and Cleveland had stalled. It's believed Thompson desires approximately $12 million per year in a new deal, which was the amount received by forwards Kenneth Faried and Derrick Favorsin extensions with the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz, respectively.
Thompson is represented by Rich Paul, the longtime agent and business partner of LeBron James, who returned to the Cavaliers this summer after four seasons with the Miami Heat.
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The No. 4 pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Thompson averaged 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds for Cleveland last season and averaged nearly identical figures in 2012-13, playing in all 82 games each year in a starting role.
Thompson will come off the bench this season with center Anderson Varejao now healthy and trade acquisition Kevin Love starting at power forward.
Contract talks between the San Antonio Spurs and Kawhi Leonard, who's in the same position as Thompson as a fourth-year player, also reportedly stalled this week.
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The Cavaliers open the regular season Thursday against the New York Knicks in Cleveland.
- Ben Estes
