^^JR has always been a streaky shooter, so you can't live or die with his scoring.  But the other facets of his game really surprised me last season and I watch the NBA regularly.  His basketball IQ was much higher than I expected and his defense was outstanding at times.  The bottom line is that we can't find a better option to fill out the roster..... not even close.

 

Yeah he did some things that indicate to me that he's hungry for a championship. He seems to have mailed it in while playing for the Knicks, but was rejuvenated here.

Serious question, how much do people really think JR is worth to re-sign?  I was actually a little surprised that he declined his $6.4 million player option given the way he kind of fizzled under pressure towards the end of the season, particularly when most needed.  I know he had/has explosive potential but he had some serious, serious consistency issues, and to win the title, you need consistency because you've got to pick up four out of seven from the best other teams in the league.  Gilbert is willing to spend like crazy so it might not matter, but even Gilbert has to have his limits (and the team so far has been able to acquire depth at a pretty reasonable price this offseason).

 

Maybe I have an anchored bias because I have a friend in NYC who was very bearish on Smith and was definitely not sorry to see him leave NY, and I laughed for a while while Smith was performing well towards the mid-late season, but the postseason has me wondering whether my NY friend might have a point.

 

i watch the knicks quite and bit and talk with fans errday, and your friend is 100% correct. jr is a yo-yo. he'll have a streak then fall apart and disappear. he'll take insanely stupid shots too in crunch time. thats jr. i think the cavs feel he can thrive on a contender, he'll improve with confidence and support and his dumb mistakes wont matter as much. knicks fans agree its best for him, but are dubious. shumpert otoh everybody likes.

@CLEsportsTalk: BREAKING: Cavs and Clippers in trade talks to send SG Jamal Crawford here to Cleveland! http://t.co/RAQsXzhoPn

Tristan Thompson's agent, Rich Paul, says client will leave Cleveland Cavaliers if he plays on qualifying offer

 

By Chris Haynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group

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on August 10, 2015 at 3:59 PM, updated August 10, 2015 at 4:02 PM

 

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- The 2015-16 season will be Tristan Thompson's last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers if he ends up signing the $6.9 million qualifying offer, according to his agent Rich Paul.

 

"A Tristan Thompson qualifying offer will be his last year with Cavs," Paul told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

 

If that ended up being the case, Thompson would be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016.

 

The lengthy stalemate between the two sides can been viewed by Thompson's camp as a level of disrespect. The power forward is seeking a contract of five years, up to $90 million.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/08/tristan_thompsons_agent_rich_p.html#incart_2box

 

 

That is either a misquote or a horrible error by Paul. Either way, I expect a 'correction' soon.  There is absolutely no way TT is going to play this season with a decision to leave already announced. Even if that decision has been made out, you don't say it

It's either an awful quote by Paul or awful journalism by the Plain Dealer, because it's written as a direct quote (not just attributed or "reportedly") from Rich Paul to Northeast Ohio Media Group.  That's definitely dangerous for any agent, even if that agent also has LeBron in his stable.

I believe the quote is real and that it's just posturing by Paul... WFNY quoted Windhorst 2 weeks ago as saying that the parties were very close to 5/$80M but that Paul is holding out for $94M; with the subtext being that, if Griffin doesn't budge, Thompson will sign the last Cavs' offer.

Thompson is not a max player, limited offensive game with average FT skills. Being a tenacious rebounder doesn't even net you $94 million in my book especially since he isn't a ferocious defender inside and doesn't rank that well. The $80 million dollar contract would be the furthest I'd go.

^I am not saying the $80million is not a fair offer, but max money THIS summer is going to seem like a deal compared to what it will be next summer.  So if you sign TT long-term for max money this summer, the majority of that contract he won't be playing at a max salary figure.

JR Smith: I'm coming back...

So right...sooo rriigghhttt

We really need JR esp since we couldn't land a big-time floor spacing 2-guard in free agency (we just have no cap room).  For all his faults, he's a valuable piece, including on defense, which gets little recognition in light of Shumpert.  JR is is a very athletic, harassing guard who forces a lot of turnovers.  I'm glad to have him back... LeBron is too...

 

... Now if we can lock up Thompson to a long-term deal, I think we'll be the odds on fave to win the championship, even against the Spurs with Aldridge and West.

Don't max salaries increase with the cap? Maybe? I know it was said that Love's per year salary went up when the cap was raised. I wonder if Valunciunus's recent signing (4/64) affects TT's bargaining?

^If that contingency was agreed to in the deal signed, yes, they increase if the cap rises.  However, it is usually more limited.  Love, for instance, is not going to get another increase to max level when the cap skyrockets next summer.  But the deal he signed this summer before the new cap numbers were released had a stipulation that he would be brought up to max level based on this summer's cap numbers.

Jacob Rosen ‏@WFNYJacob  13h13 hours ago

Cavs money scenarios:

Currently: $94.7M sal, $16.3M tax

Tristan at QO: $101.5M sal, $34.6M tax

Tristan at $16M: $110.7M sal, $70.6M tax

 

Edit: "QO"= Qualifying Offer. Tristan's QO is for $6.8 million.

SB Nation: Report: Cavaliers sign Sasha Kaun to two-year deal. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwj_mphSU

^ it doesnt say, but you gotta think coach had something to do with that.

Kendrick's replacement

Sorry, but when I hear the name Sasha Kaun, all I hear are the first few seconds of this 80s hit.... OK, so it's Chaka Khan, but dammit it's close enough!!

 

 

Sorry, but when I hear the name Sasha Kaun, all I hear are the first few seconds of this 80s hit.... OK, so it's Chaka Khan, but dammit it's close enough!!

 

 

Hahaha that's the first thing I thought of when I saw his name. My eyes saw Sasha Kaun but my brain only saw Chaka Khan

Scotto: Rich Paul and Tristan Thompson: Another “Going Home” Story?

 

August 27, 2015 by  Michael Scotto

 

ere are rumblings that agent Rich Paul could deliver another client to his hometown team in the near future. Several league executives believe Canadian Tristan Thompson may head north to Toronto in the summer of 2016 if he signs his one-year, $6.8 million qualifying offer with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

“I always thought he was going to end up (in Toronto) this year,” one Eastern Conference general manager told SheridanHoops. “There’s going to be so much money next year so I think he will get it.”

 

As most folks know, Paul is the agent for LeBron James, who in 2014 returned to Cleveland in one of the biggest homecoming moments in sports history. That moment was engineered by Paul.

 

Read more at http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2015/08/27/scotto-rich-paul-and-tristan-thompson-another-going-home-story/#ejC0RmBR2FERMr28.99

 

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2015/08/27/scotto-rich-paul-and-tristan-thompson-another-going-home-story/#tD86lAkb3L25S4I8.99

Seeing reports that Kyrie may be out till January or so?

^Sure have, and I'm a tad concerned.  Not that the knee isn't healing correctly, because I believe it is, but because it is a knee injury that obviously the Cavs are concerned about, also.  So much of Kyrie's quick maneuverability depends on his knees.  Take that away, and ... And let's face it, we know Kyrie is fragile.  The prospect of Mo Williams helming the Cavs through the bulk of the playoffs is very real to Cavs' brass.

 

As for Tristan, there are more than a few whispers that if the Cavs can't get his deal done, LeBron's long-term commitment to Cleveland may hang in the balance.  It's all but confirmed that TT thumbed his nose at 5 years/$80M. The Cavs adamantly feel that TT won't sniff this on the open market, but if he's forced to take the qualifying offer, there are teams, like Toronto, who will offer him the moon and the stars next year when the new higher salary cap phases in, in 2016-17 ($89M) and again in 2017-18 ($108M), and there won't be a damn thing Gilbert/Griffin can do about it.

^Sure have, and I'm a tad concerned.  Not that the knee isn't healing correctly, because I believe it is, but because it is a knee injury that obviously the Cavs are concerned about, also.  So much of Kyrie's quick maneuverability depends on his knees.  Take that away, and ... And let's face it, we know Kyrie is fragile.  The prospect of Mo Williams helming the Cavs through the bulk of the playoffs is very real to Cavs' brass.

 

As for Tristan, there are more than a few whispers that if the Cavs can't get his deal done, LeBron's long-term commitment to Cleveland may hang in the balance.  It's all but confirmed that TT thumbed his nose at 5 years/$80M. The Cavs adamantly feel that TT won't sniff this on the open market, but if he's forced to take the qualifying offer, there are teams, like Toronto, who will offer him the moon and the stars next year when the new higher salary cap phases in, in 2016-17 ($89M) and again in 2017-18 ($108M), and there won't be a damn thing Gilbert/Griffin can do about

 

'Unsubstantiated Opinions and Meaningless Blather"  Whispers....ohh noo

Whispers?  C'mon man.  Nobody credible has said that.  Show us a link. 

 

LeBron will finish his career here, absent this franchise going in to tank mode.  Bank on that. 

 

And this TT to Toronto rumor is more than ridiculous.  I'm sure TT has some desire to go home, but he can't demand more money than Jonas V, who just signed for less than what TT has turned down from the Cavs.  Toronto does not have Dan Gilbert at the helm.  They are much more in the practice of not going into the luxury tax.

 

The bottom line is that this team will be elite with or without TT for the foreseeable future.  He is a great piece, but not much more than just a piece..... certainly not a centerpiece..... to a championship roster. 

^It's rumor, true, but I hope you're not whistling past the graveyard.  Sheridan Hoops posted this, and the basketball media nationally (and locally) has gone wild... And  it's more than mere rumor that Thompson turned down the 5-year/$80M offer.  Brian Windhorst, among others, reported this.  LeBron, to his credit, is playing good cop on this -- he reupped for the year+option and praised Griffin for the off season signings (enhanced, I'm sure, by re-inking friend JR Smith).  But don't for a minute thing that LeBron wouldn't take losing Thompson as a slap in the face.  LeBron, who says he has nightmares of the Finals series, desperately wants the absolute best team on the floor to bring the title to Cleveland.  And the same LeBron has gently hinted the loud and clear message to Griffin: Get it Done!... And this whole, Thompson has nowhere to go, mantra is bullsh*t.  The only reason teams are not knocking down his door, now, is because most feel that practically anything they offer will be matched by the Cavs... But that won't be true next year, esp if Tristan signs the QO which, as history has shown, means bye-bye for the player who signs it.

 

I'm concerned that this thing has dragged on so long on top of the Paul threat.  Tip-off of the 2015-16 season is 2 months ago, yesterday.

^It didn't mean "bye-bye" for Rich Paul's other client who rolled the dice on the qualifying offer.... Eric Bledsoe. 

 

Did you read the Sheridan Hoops story?  It said some league executives are speculating that TT may be headed north.  It didn't even come from Paul or anyone in TT's camp.  It is some executive throwing the possibility out there and some writer over at Sheridan attaching it to some juicy click-bait.  Ever heard of Mike Scotto?  I hadn't either, prior to yesterday.

 

As for TT turning down the 5/80 offer, that has been confirmed for some time.  Nor has he signed the QO.  They are at a stale-mate, waiting for one side to flinch.

 

As for LeBron, he wouldn't take it as a slap in the face.  TT was offered more than his FMV.

As for LeBron, he wouldn't take it as a slap in the face.  TT was offered more than his FMV.

 

And the fact that LeBron re-signed rather than hold off to give TT some more negotiating power shows that LBJ hasn't taken on hard-line position on whether the Cavs re-sign TT or not. I'm sure he'd love to have TT back too, but the luxury tax hit Gilbert would take would be brutal if he offered TT much more than QO. See Rosen's info in my post at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4547.msg769101.html#msg769101

But yet he has offered him more than the QO.  Much more.

^It didn't mean "bye-bye" for Rich Paul's other client who rolled the dice on the qualifying offer.... Eric Bledsoe. 

 

Did you read the Sheridan Hoops story?  It said some league executives are speculating that TT may be headed north.  It didn't even come from Paul or anyone in TT's camp.  It is some executive throwing the possibility out there and some writer over at Sheridan attaching it to some juicy click-bait.  Ever heard of Mike Scotto?  I hadn't either, prior to yesterday.

 

As for TT turning down the 5/80 offer, that has been confirmed for some time.  Nor has he signed the QO.  They are at a stale-mate, waiting for one side to flinch.

 

As for LeBron, he wouldn't take it as a slap in the face.  TT was offered more than his FMV.

 

Yes I read it... I'm just saying there are certain facts we know: 1) Paul threatened to leave if TT signs the QO and 2) TT rejected the 5/$80M and 3) Tristan's an unrestricted free agent next year when the money starts to really get crazy... and, oh yeah, he's from Toronto... Maybe the rumors to fill in the gaps are B.S... But all I'm saying is that, given these 3 key facts and given that Tristan is still the lone holdout, and a mighty piece for the Cavs with training camp less than a month away ...

 

btw, the PD is reporting the Toronto factor today.

He isn't worth more than that.  Does paul think Thompson would get the max on the open market?  He can't run an offense or get his own shots and he isn't a good defender.  Why would someone pay him more than what the cavs have offered for an offensive rebounder?

Chris Haynes is not with the "pd" and all he is doing is citing the Mike Scotto report of speculation that something might happen with TT and Toronto next summer. It gets clicks for both him and Scotto

^Chris Fedor actually wrote the story.

^It didn't mean "bye-bye" for Rich Paul's other client who rolled the dice on the qualifying offer.... Eric Bledsoe. 

 

Did you read the Sheridan Hoops story?  It said some league executives are speculating that TT may be headed north.  It didn't even come from Paul or anyone in TT's camp.  It is some executive throwing the possibility out there and some writer over at Sheridan attaching it to some juicy click-bait.  Ever heard of Mike Scotto?  I hadn't either, prior to yesterday.

 

As for TT turning down the 5/80 offer, that has been confirmed for some time.  Nor has he signed the QO.  They are at a stale-mate, waiting for one side to flinch.

 

As for LeBron, he wouldn't take it as a slap in the face.  TT was offered more than his FMV.

 

The PD is reporting the "Rumor" like YOU!

 

 

Yes I read it... I'm just saying there are certain facts we know: 1) Paul threatened to leave if TT signs the QO and 2) TT rejected the 5/$80M and 3) Tristan's an unrestricted free agent next year when the money starts to really get crazy... and, oh yeah, he's from Toronto... Maybe the rumors to fill in the gaps are B.S... But all I'm saying is that, given these 3 key facts and given that Tristan is still the lone holdout, and a mighty piece for the Cavs with training camp less than a month away ...

 

btw, the PD is reporting the Toronto factor today.

They are reporting the "Rumor" Like you!

^Chris Fedor actually wrote the story.

 

Still not the pd.  NEOMG is a separate animal

 

Still not the pd.  NEOMG is a separate animal

 

Sort of NEOMG is the umbrella for the PD, Sun Newspapers and cleveland.com.

Meanwhile, over at Cleveland's winning team...

 

@WojYahooNBA: Sources: Cavs hiring Spurs scout Trajan Langdon as Dir. of Player Administration. Replacing Raja Bell, who leaves to spend more family time.

I see Tristan Thompson skipped LeBron's pre-camp workouts.  I sure wish the Cavs would go ahead and pay Tristan what he wants.  Pundits, and some fans, can try and devalue Thompson all they want -- looking at his bare stats and the fact he wasn't a starter until Love got hurt-- but the fact is, he is critical to this lineup.  As a WFNY columnist noted, the difference we're talking appears to be $16M over 4 years (Cavs offered $80M and Thompson wants $96, according to reports), and that whatever we agree to (if we do) it'll seem like a bargain compared to salaries after the new higher salary cap is phased in over the next 2 years. 

 

In addition to his generally gritty work under the glass, the countless extra possessions Thompson gave us in big games in the playoffs were priceless... We also can't forget that Thompson demonstrated why Blatt kept pulling Mozgov in 4th quarters for Tristan-- Tristan is simply more of a glue-guy down the stretch and Mozzie sometimes gets shaky... We also can't count on Love's body... Remember that, even before Kelly Olynyk, Love had a series of bumps and bruises that kept him out of games, notably a bad back.  What's more, Love's career from back in Minnesota has been marked by injury.  So just as Mo Williams was brought in as Kyrie insurance, Tristan is Love insurance... Letting Thompson sign the QO would be disastrous and bring back the all-or-nothing win-it all panic that we felt in 2009 and 2010 before LeBron departed.  Who needs that?

^Not that simple.  If you overpay TT, then Kyrie would want and should get a renegotiated bigger deal next summer.  No way those two should be making the same $$.

 

If TT signs the QO, so be it.  I don't care what posturing is going on right now, in no way does that guarantee his departure..... nor would his departure destroy any prospects of a championship.  TT played great at time in the playoffs and I love his blue collar mentality.... but let's not get carried away here.  He's a great 3rd big-man, but will probably never be an All-Star.  The Cavs are the least frugal team in the league.  They have nothing to prove in terms of willingness to spend.  Most teams probably wouldn't even be offering TT the $80mill the Cavs have put on the table (yes, I know some 'reporters' have speculated, based on the speculation of others, that there are teams willing to pay him the max).

 

As for TT not participating in this voluntary pre-training camp training camp, I'd say that is fairly standard practice for anyone involved in contract negotiations.

What two jagoffs said the Cavs would win fewer than 20 games?? See the poll above. C'mon -- show yourselves!

Meanwhile, over at Cleveland's winning team...

 

@WojYahooNBA: Sources: Cavs hiring Spurs scout Trajan Langdon as Dir. of Player Administration. Replacing Raja Bell, who leaves to spend more family time.

Noooo not Tragic Langdon, the Alaskan assassin is back! ...he misses three's from every which angle...

you cant just pay players what they want.  he is asking for WAY more than his value

you cant just pay players what they want.  he is asking for WAY more than his value

 

Especially since a big contract would trigger multiples of extra cost in luxury tax.

you cant just pay players what they want.  he is asking for WAY more than his value

 

Especially since a big contract would trigger multiples of extra cost in luxury tax.

 

But Gilbert is already paying such taxes out the wazoo for the team he already has.  How much more, really, would paying Tristan an additional $16M over 4 years (as in $4M/year) hurt him?  Dan has the goods and is starving for a Cavs' trophy ... as we all are.  I don't think paying players whatever they want on a whim is a good thing, either...  Would Tristan perhaps be overpaid?  Yes.  Are other guys? Yes.  But does Tristan play a pivotal role in our quest of a championship?  Absolutely yes.  And for me, and probably for Gilbert, the latter is the bottom line.

Every piece potentially plays a pivotal role.  And don't forget that Mozzy is a free agent next summer.

 

No one knows for sure what the cap will look like next summer, but anything we pay TT this year will be in the luxury tax field..... and probably actually in the realm of the repeater tax, which I am not sure anyone really understands...... but under my very shaky understanding, it would cost something like $12 mill EXTRA next year just to bump him up to what he wants.

Let's also not forget that while TT is an above average rebounder who has never missed a game, he is also a below average defender and a poor free throw shooter. Additionally, he is unable to create his own shot and is pretty ineffective shooting the ball in the 10-15 foot range. As Hts. pointed out, you pay TT what he's asking then the other players that are better than him start asking to renegotiate. The Cavs offer is overly generous as it is. Next summer, I really don't believe a decent team will offer what the CAVS are offering now. Don't listen to the simpletons on ESPN.  They're the National Inquirer of sports. Nothing that comes out of their pie hole has any substance. The only reason he played over Mozzy is Golden State played with a small lineup. I still think that was a big mistake on the CAVS part.

If he tested the open market, he'd be disappointed.  Personally, I think he is overplaying his hand in regards to his LeBron James connection.

you cant just pay players what they want.  he is asking for WAY more than his value

 

Especially since a big contract would trigger multiples of extra cost in luxury tax.

 

But Gilbert is already paying such taxes out the wazoo for the team he already has.  How much more, really, would paying Tristan an additional $16M over 4 years (as in $4M/year) hurt him?  Dan has the goods and is starving for a Cavs' trophy ... as we all are.  I don't think paying players whatever they want on a whim is a good thing, either...  Would Tristan perhaps be overpaid?  Yes.  Are other guys? Yes.  But does Tristan play a pivotal role in our quest of a championship?  Absolutely yes.  And for me, and probably for Gilbert, the latter is the bottom line.

 

There's a huge tax impact (double!) between Gilbert paying TT the qualifying offer vs. what TT wants. See the numbers in my post on the prior page.

 

EDIT: here's the #'s....

 

Tristan at QO: $101.5M sal, $34.6M tax

Tristan at $16M: $110.7M sal, $70.6M tax

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4547.7140.html#ixzz3lkKsiewR

^I wasn't aware he was asking that much... I mistakenly said over 4 years when the offer was for 5 years.  It was reported that the offer he rejected was $80/5 years and that his max is reported $96M/5 years, which is a $16M difference, but over 5 years it comes to $3.2M/year...  (see NBC Sports article below)

 

In the broader scheme of things, that doesn't seem to be a huge difference -- for you and me, of course, ... for Gilbert?  not so much.

 

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/08/19/report-tristan-thompson-rejected-80-million-contract-offer-from-cavaliers-because-his-perceived-peers-got-more/