Tristan Thompson is one of the better remaining free agents still available as well as JR Smith. Thompson had his best season of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was averaging 9 points and 8 rebounds and, in the playoffs he rebounded and averaged 10 points and 11 rebounds. Number thirteen had a stellar season with the Cavs thanks to a Kevin Love season injury. The Cavs have no more cap space and would go further into the luxury tax if they signed Thompson. Cleveland recently traded Rakeem Christmas, the 36th pick in this years draft (the trade with Minnesota to acquire Tyus Jones) was traded for a 2019 second round draft pick to free up cap space.
Cleveland now faces a BIG problem. Brendan Haywood has a 10 million dollar non guaranteed contract and they will need to trade him to resign Thompson. I believe the Portland Trailblazers should offer a sheet to the 5th year powerfoward. It will force Cleveland to match the offer sheet and might give the rebuilding Blazers another weapon for Damian Lillard.
