The Cleveland Cavaliers and superior rebounder Tristan Thompson have agreed in principle to a five-year, $82 million contract, ending his holdout and strengthening the team’s depth in their frontcourt for the 2015-16 season.
Thompson proved to be invaluable when C Kevin Love in cured his shoulder in last year’s Eastern Conference Semi-finals agains the Celtics. Thompson was a key piece in the Cavaliers run the championship last year. Thompson was an overall No 4 draft pick in 2011, and though the Cavs knew of his value, they also knew that he would play as a reserve and were determined to pay him at that rate.
With extensions to Thompson, LaBron James, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, and Iman Shumpert, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has spent nearly $300 in guaranteed money this offseason.
