NBA News: Tristan Thompson not included in Cleveland Cavaliers' training camp roster

The Cleveland Cavaliers has announced its 20-man training camp roster on Tuesday, which comprises last year’s core team, but with the exception of restricted free agent Tristan Thompson.

Cleveland and Thompson, who was not present at Media Day for the Cavs, have been unable to agree on a contract, leaving the 6-foot-10 power forward out of the team’s training camp squad. The Cavs did not accept Thompson’s most recent demand of a five-year contract worth US$94 million (AU$135.23 million).

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Thompson is likely to miss the start of practice on Wednesday, but both parties are not intending to frame the situation as a holdout. The report also stated that the Canadian International has until Thursday to accept the Cavs’ one-year qualifying offer of US$6.9 million (AU$9.93 million), which makes Thompson an unrestricted free agent next summer. Thompson would also avoid being fined for missing media day or any practices because he is not yet under contract.

Thompson averaged 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds during the regular season. The 24-year-old power forward stepped up his game in the NBA playoffs, averaging a double-double of 11.6 points and 12.6 rebounds.

Cavs general manager David Griffin said he wants Thompson to be part of the team’s future, insisting that the big man has the right to request for his preferred contract. "Everybody in our locker room knows what our mission is this year. We're here to deliver titles in Northeast Ohio,” Griffin said, Cleveland.com reports. “So there's nothing lost by what Tristan is doing right now in this process. It's certainly his right to do this."

The Cavs’ full roster list for the training camp includes newly acquired Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson and Sasha Kaun. Re-signed free agents Lebron James, Kevin Love, JR Smith, Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova are also in the team’s 20-man training camp lineup, while holdovers Anderson Varejao, Timofey Mozgov, James Jones, Joe Harris and Kyrie Irving will also participate in the court drills.

Michael Dunigan, a 6-foot-10 power forward, will take the final spot on the roster. Dunigan will be joined by camp invites Jared Cunningham, Quinn Cook, DJ Stephens, Austin Daye, Nick Minnerath and Chris Johnson.

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