by Omran Hamidi, staff reporter
Last season during the NBA playoffs, Tristan Thompson provided the Cleveland Cavaliers with what no other player could provide, energy. Last season, Thompson averaged 8.0 ppg(points per game) along with 8.0 rpg(rebounds per game) which was enough for the Cavaliers to reach the NBA Finals. With the beginning of the season right around the corner, Thompson and the Cavs have yet to agree upon a deal in which both parties are satisfied, according to ESPN NBA writer Brian Windhorst.
The Cavaliers offered Thompson a five year, $80 million deal but Rich Paul, Thompson’s agent declined the offer. Lebron James, who is one of Paul’s clients has recently been asked about Thompson’s holdout.
“I’m not here to talk about numbers, things of that nature, because that’s for them, for both sides to figure out. The last thing you need is a distraction when you try to make a championship run. And we have that right now. And it’s unfortunate for both sides that we’re going through it right now as a team. It’s not an excuse, we will be ready to go but hopefully something happens in the near future,” small forward Lebron James said.
Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they are missing one of their perimeter defender Iman Shumpert, their All-Star point guard (position) in Kyrie Irving and not signing Thompson before the start of the season will be detrimental to the ball club.
“Thompson’s presence will be missed but if the Cavs want to make a deep playoff run like last year, they need to resign him,” junior Mohammad Shah said.