LeBron: Done speaking about Thompson talks
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Anyone waiting for LeBron James to publicly pressure the Cleveland Cavaliers into re-signing Tristan Thompson and meet the big man’s salary demands might not want to hold their breath.
James said Tuesday that he is finished speaking about the ongoing negotiations between his teammate and the Cavaliers. Thompson did not attend the team’s first practice of training camp as he awaits a new deal.
“I’ve already addressed it,” James said when asked about Thompson, with whom he shares an agent, Rich Paul. “Play my clips from [Monday]. I’ve already addressed it. I probably won’t address it again too much more. Like I said, I’m optimistic that both sides will get something done and he’ll be here sooner than later.”
Thompson also was notably absent from the Cavs’ media day on Monday, when James expressed similar optimism about the situation. Thompson has until Thursday to accept the Cavs’ one-year qualifying offer of $6.9 million that would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Thompson is seeking either a three-year deal worth $53 million or a five-year maximum contract worth $94 million, according to league sources. The Cavs have offered him a five-year deal worth $80 million, sources said.
Cavs general manager David Griffin said Tuesday he had no update on Thompson’s status. Cleveland coach David Blatt downplayed the significance of Thompson’s absence at the start of training camp.
“Not too, too much right now,” Blatt said when asked what Thompson has missed so far. “Obviously, we hope to see him as soon as possible. But, as I know Tristan, he’s maintaining great conditioning and he hopefully will be with us as soon as possible.”
Blatt was then asked to identify at what point in the future Thompson’s absence would become an issue if it continues to drag on.
“You know, for a coach, it’s every day,” Blatt said. “But I’d rather not think about the bad end of the expectation. I’m just hoping to see him here sooner than later, that’s all.”
Information from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Chris Broussard was used in this report.
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