Are the Toronto Raptors really interested in offering a max deal for Tristan Thompson or are they just being used for leverage?
Tristan Thompson is still unsigned, and his agent is playing hardball with the Cavaliers. Rich Paul is not just banking on LeBron James' endorsement, he is placing his bets on his client, and the Toronto Raptors, according to Ric Bucher from Bleacher Report.
"A league source tells me that his agent, Rich Paul, has already made it clear to the Cleveland Cavaliers that Thompson will not sign a long-term deal unless it is a max deal," Bucher stated. "And otherwise, he is prepared to sign a one-year qualifying offer with the additional knowledge, according to the source, that Paul believes that he can get a max deal with the Raptors next summer."
But will the Raptors bite? If this is true, the Cavs may be letting go of their insurance at the center-forward position. They will also let the Raptors-a Conference rival, fill in the big gaping hole in their roster.
Because they need a power forward, the Raptors would take Tristan Thompson with open arms. But the question is, can they actually pay him the max contract-or something higher than the reported $80 million/5 year contract the Cavs are offering? Raptors Rapture gives it take.
"When money rears its ugly head, matters get messy in a hurry," RR writer Brian Goake surmised. "TT is likely to want $20M per season on a four-year deal. With the Valanciunas deal, the Raptors are already committed to nearly $80M in '16-'17. Super-recruiter DeMar DeRozan will want more money, so we'll be at the reset salary cap of $90M without breaking a sweat (or extending Terrence Ross, let alone signing TT)."
The only way for the Raptors to offer that kind of money is for them to trade one of their core players, probably DeRozan. That would give them another hole to fill, and DeRozan is one of their top scorers-something Tristan won't provide.
Another possibility is that Thompson would take less money to join the Raptors, but this is unlikely. Why would he leave the leading contender (Cavaliers) which also has his stable mate (LeBron James) just to play in his hometown for less money? Even LeBron asked for more money and more support players before he returned to Cleveland.
Thus, this is probably Rich Paul playing poker with the Cavs right now.