Tristan Thompson lets deadline pass on Cavs offer, now an NBA holdout

TRISTAN Thompson is now a holdout as the deadline passed and the qualifying offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers has yet to be signed.

Midnight on Thursday (Noon Friday, Manila time) was the expiration but the two sides remained at a standoff. The Cavaliers had the right to extend the Oct. 1 deadline for the qualifying offer, but declined to do so, according to The Akron Beacon Journal.

Thompson was earlier reported to be eyeing a US$94 million contract for five years, but lowered his demand to a $53 million deal.

Still, a deal has yet to be made and the qualifying offer of $6.8 million for a year was unsigned.

[See Tristan Thompson lowers salary demand but yet to reach deal with Cleveland Cavaliers, according to reports]

Thompson could try to make a deal with another team, and the Cavaliers have the right to match the offer.

[See Contract talks at a standstill with Cavaliers and Tristan Thomspon still $14 million apart]

The Cavaliers could also extend another qualifying offer, but that has yet to be made.