Tristan Thompson would have advantages in testing the free agency

As reported by Akron Beacon Journal, when David Blatt was discussing the merits of choosing between Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson as his starting center, he dismissed much of the debate by declaring “it probably doesn’t make a big difference.”

On the court, he might be right. Both players are similar rebounding machines, although Varejao is statistically a slightly better rim protector and has more range offensively. Off the court, however, choosing a starting center will be an important and tricky journey for the Cavaliers.

Both Varejao and Thompson could essentially be playing this season for their next contracts. Varejao is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, although his age (32) and injury history will likely preclude him from demanding top dollar. And now that his good friend LeBron James is back, Varejao likely won’t want to leave.

Thompson, however, is only 23 and very much in pursuit of a new deal. The Cavs have until Oct. 31 to come to terms with him on an extension, otherwise he’ll become a restricted free agent next summer.

At this point, with the clock ticking and little negotiations between the two sides, that might be how this plays out. And given that Thompson shares an agent with James and will be seeking a significant raise on his next deal, securing a starting spot for this season could be of utmost importance to him.

For his part, Thompson continues to dismiss the contract issue. The acquisition of Kevin Love seemed to force Thompson to the bench, but he has worked as the starting center through the first week of practice and debuted there during the team’s Wine & Gold scrimmage on Wednesday. Now the Cavs open the preseason Sunday night at Quicken Loans Arena against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“I think my concern was how can I help this team be better?” Thompson responded when asked if he feared the Love trade would cost him his starting job and, ultimately, millions of dollars in an extension. “How can I help us take that next step in the right direction and how can I help our team be successful? That’s where my mind is right now and that’s about winning. I think that’s everyone’s mindset coming into this year.”

If recent history is any indication, James will want to see Thompson get paid, and the Cavs want to keep James happy.

Another Rich Paul client, Eric Bledsoe, was in a contract dispute this summer with the Phoenix Suns. Paul and Bledsoe were seeking a five-year deal worth about $80 million. The Suns countered with four years and $48 million. During the stalemate, James released a picture through his Instagram account of him and Bledsoe along with the message: “Future All-Star in this league in no time. PHX break bread.”

The Suns ultimately did, giving Bledsoe five years and $70 million. James celebrated by praising his agent in another post of Bledsoe signing the contract.

“Family stand for each other through the good and bad!” James wrote. “I guess we still don’t know what we doing yet huh Rich!?!”

No numbers have been exchanged yet, but from the moment Derrick Favors signed a four-year, $49 million extension with the Utah Jazz last year around this time, the Cavs privately knew that was the neighborhood in which Thompson wanted to start building. Retaining a starting job would certainly help his case.

In fact, one league source thought it would be in Thompson’s best interest to take this to restricted free agency given the talent surrounding him. Love’s skills as a stretch power forward, coupled with Blatt’s system that balances the floor on offense, will often leave Thompson alone inside to grab rebounds and produce big numbers.

“Tristan is a sponge. He just wants to learn and he continues to get better,” Love said. “We enjoy playing together and he’s a worker. He has a great motor to him and he’s going to continue to get better because he’s young and he wants to work.”

Thompson knew his future was at center once Love arrived, so he began adding muscle for the expected pounding. But for all the talk of adding a rim protector at center, the Cavs privately believe they have the right mix of pieces to win as presently constructed.

Aside from Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol, there aren’t many contenders in the league with legitimately sized and talented centers. Roy Hibbert certainly qualifies, but the Paul George injury likely eliminates the Indiana Pacers from being serious threats in the East.

“If you look at our league now, a lot of [centers] are becoming more mobile,” Thompson said, identifying Tiago Splitter in San Antonio and Chris Bosh in Miami. “The ‘5’ is changing. They aren’t as big as they used to be.”

As for Varejao, he has remained the consummate teammate throughout the years and role changes. He lost his starting job briefly last season when Andrew Bynum signed, and now he could be losing it again.

“All I want is to do my job,” Varejao said. “Basketball is unlimited subs. Every game is going to be different. I just want to be ready and play basketball.”