NBA Trade Rumors: Thompson Wants Trade, Says No To Buyout

KEY POINTS

Thompson will not agree to a contract buyout
Thompson may end NBA season with Cavaliers
Thompson could be of use to the Clippers or Rockets

Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers has no intention of agreeing to any form of a buyout this 2019-20 NBA season. Hence, there are only two scenarios for the Canadian big man - either he gets traded to another ballclub or finishes the season with his current team.

According to a report by Christopher Reina of RealGM, the 28-year-old will not accept a buyout if he is not deal before the NBA trade deadline. Several teams are interested in getting the 6-foot-9 center-forward, mostly teams in dire need of some help in the middle.

One team that could use Thompson is the Houston Rockets. After dealing away Clint Capella and Nene in a four-team trade recently, the Rockets are lacking in reliable centers. They do have old hand Tyson Chandler and Isaac Hartenstein. However, they need someone younger and reliable like Thompson. Much of this was covered in a previous post.

Of course, the Rockets are not the only one trying to work out a trade with the Cavaliers. None of the teams pursuing Thompson have been named although most are likely considering two factors. One is that Thompson will need to be paid his $18.5 million deal this season. The other is that he could be a short-term fix since the 4th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft is set to hit free agency in the summer.

With time winding down and if no trade happens, Thompson is most likely to stay in Cleveland until the end of the season. The Cavs are not expected to make the NBA playoffs so deals involving the one-time NBA champion are likely to commence in the summer.

Thompson has been putting up decent numbers this 2019-20 NBA season. A look at Basketball-Reference.com shows the Canadian playing in 48 games averaging 11.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. These numbers are better than his career averages.

Other teams who could use Thompson could be the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clips have a big hole in the middle so adding the veteran center could likewise boost their NBA playoff bid. With the NBA trade deadline lapsing in a few hours, the fate of Thompson and other NBA players should be known soon.