Tristan Thompson’s contract hold out with Cavaliers could continue during season

Tristan Thompson and the Cleveland Cavaliers still can’t agree to the terms of the forward’s contract extension with the team and according to a report, the contract holdout could last and go on during the 2015-2016 NBA regular season.

From Grantland.com, via Zach Lowe’s podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who covers the Cavaliers, said that he believes the impasse between the Cleveland management and Thompson could “go well into the regular season.” He added that it could take another NBA team to “bridge the gap” between the two parties.

According to separate ports, the Cavaliers already offered Thompson a five-year $80 million (AU $111.12 million) contract but the forward and his agent, Rich Paul, demanded a five-year $94 million (AU $130.56 million) maximum contract. Thompson’s camp also refused to sign the Cavaliers’ one-year $6.8 million (AU $9.45 million) qualifying offer last week and he remains a restricted free agent for the Cavaliers this season.

Thompson is free to sign with any other NBA team, but the Cavaliers can match any offer if they want him to stay in Cleveland.

Meanwhile, LeBron James, who shares the same agent as Thompson, posted on Instagram recently showing his frustration with the current contract impasse with his teammate and team.

Meanwhile, LeBron James, who shares the same agent as Thompson, posted on Instagram recently showing his frustration with the current contract impasse with his teammate and team.

Thompson, who will be entering his fifth NBA season since being drafted the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, was a vital cog in the team’s run to the 2015 NBA Finals. In 15 games in the postseason, his first-ever playoff appearance, Thompson averaged 9.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game.

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