Despite rumors last week that Tristan Thompson had lowered his salary demands, now the word on the street is that there will be no deal between the big fella and his employer heading into training camp.
Thompson has until Oct.1 to ink a $6.9 million qualifying offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cavs & Tristan Thompson did not come to a contract agreement over the weekend & he is not expected to be at today's media day, sources said
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) September 28, 2015
Neither Cavs or Thompson are framing situation as "hold out" because he has until Thursday, which is Oct. 1, to sign $6.9M qualifying offer
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) September 28, 2015
Thompson’s agent has said that his client will not be back in Cleveland if he hits the free agent market next summer.
Per ESPN:
It now seems likely Thompson will miss the start of practice on Tuesday but the sides are not framing the situation as a holdout at this point. Thompson has until Thursday to accept the Cavs’ one-year qualifying offer of $6.9 million that would enable him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Because Thompson is not under contract, he is not subject to being fined for missing media day or any practices. […] By Thursday, Thompson must either agree to a new long-term contract, sign the qualifying offer, or mutually agree with the Cavs to extend the qualifying offer deadline further and a holdout situation becomes legitimate.
The Cavs have made several different offers over the summer, going as high as $16 million in an average annual salary for the versatile and athletic big man. Thompson has been resolute in getting a three-year, $53 million max contract or a five-year deal for $94 million.
