Thompson’s agent, Rich Paul, has recently ditched the idea of five-year, $94 million max contract in favor of a three-year, $53 million deal. The Cavs have other ideas, however, and have prepared a five-year, $80 million offer to Thompson, according to the report.
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Thompson, who has been absent from the Cavaliers preseason practices’ that began on Tuesday, could sign an offer sheet with another team but the Cavs have the right to match any offer. Signing the qualifying offer would have allowed Thompson to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Last season, Thompson averaged 8.5 points and and 8.0 rebounds in 26.5 minutes per game.