HoopsHype.com Rumors

A source close to the Heat forward confirmed to the Sun Sentinel early Thursday morning that James will be leaving Creative Artists Agency, the agency that also represents Wade and Bosh, in order to be represented by longtime friend Rich Paul, who has emerged with a significant roster of clients of his own, including Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Tristan Thompson and Jonny Flynn. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Jonny Flynn, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Agents, Tristan Thompson, Rich Paul, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Marc J. Spears: .@RichPaul4 repped Kidd-Gilchrist, E Bledsoe, Tristan Thompson & Cory Joseph with CAA.RP has good relationship with all & might land clients Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James, Eric Bledsoe, Agents, Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Rich Paul, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Perhaps is the fresh start under Nash and Triano, perhaps it’s the fact this is a weekend training camp rather than a selection process, perhaps it’s simply because there are more, better players available but the mood was collegial, with a common goal in mind. “After watching the Olympics … I was sick to my stomach, I wanted to be part of it,” said Brampton’s Tristan Thompson. “It was cool to watch the USA win but I want to be part of that, I want to compete for a medal and I think that’s what other guys were thinking.” Toronto Star

Cleveland Cavaliers, FIBA, Canada, Tristan Thompson, Olympcs 

Crazy rumors circulating that #Cavs are embroiled in trade talks with Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. Cavs would receive center Andrew Bynum from the Lakers. Cavs would possibly send Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson and picks to the Magic. Story was first reported by HoopsWorld. This could also mean the Cavs might make a waiver claim on forward/center Luis Scola. Sulia

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, Luis Scola, Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson 

Tristan Thompson spent part of last summer’s lockout learning at the feet of a future hall of famer. Thompson spent a couple of weeks working out with San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, perhaps the most fundamentally sound big in the NBA. Of all the work the two did together on the court, Thompson took away two key facts from Duncan: Work every day to get a little better and stick with the traits that got him to the NBA. “A lot of guys when they got to the league think they got drafted on scoring,” Thompson said. “For me, I knew that defense, playing hard, rebounding and running the floor is what got me here.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, Tristan Thompson 

Irving and Rubio are joined by fellow first-year players MarShon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves). NBA.com

Kemba Walker, Derrick Williams, Tristan Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, Markieff Morris, Brandon Knight, Marshon Brooks 

Cavaliers rookie Tristan Thompson, who idolizes Garnett, was given a full scouting report on the "shenanigans." And what are these shenanigans? "Nothing appropriate for the newspaper or the radio," said Jamison, who relishes the challenge of playing the future Hall-of-Famer. "Let's just say the 'bar fight' [rant] was a G-rating for him." Cleveland Plain Dealer

Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Antawn Jamison, Kevin Garnett, Tristan Thompson 

Jason Lloyd: TT has 2 assists in 15 games. BScott told him: "You've got those blinders on the horses wear in NY. Your peripheral vision is not the best" Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson 

Jason Lloyd: Told TT he has 2 assists. Put his hand on his head in shock. "Only 2 assists? Total? All year? Wow! Oh geez! Definitely gotta work on that" Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson 

Irving and Thompson say they don't worry about how their ties to James are viewed because they weren't with the organization when he left it. They may have to deliver doughnuts to the veterans before every home shoot-around, but they don't carry the LeBron baggage. "I think most fans understand that you can't, I guess, fault a kid because I wasn't here at that time," Thompson said. Irving said he's approached his first season unencumbered by thoughts of being the man who followed the man. He just hopes to return the Cavs to contender status as soon as possible. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson 

SLAM: Kyrie Irving has said that on lob passes he sees your whole hand up over the box on the backboard. Can you talk about exactly how high it is you can jump, can you make change off the top of that thing if you wanted too? Tristan Thompson: (Laughs) Can I make change off the top of the backboard? I don’t know, but I think I’m pretty close. I can definitely touch the top of the square, that’s for sure. But I don’t know, I guess it’s just my jumping ability along with my long wing span which definitely helps me do that. Kyrie always says that if he throws up a lob he knows I’m definitely gonna catch it. But I’m just thankful to be athletically gifted by the grace of God, and I’m just trying to use that to my strength. SLAM

Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson 

SLAM: Can you talk about how valuable it’s been for you, and Kyrie as well, to be able to come into this NBA process together on the same team? Tristan Thompson: I think that we have an advantage over the other Rookies who are coming into the NBA this year because of that. First of all, me and Kyrie had a prior relationship before we were drafted, so having two friends being able to get drafted to the same team, and two guys who were able to be there for each other during the roller coaster of this past lockout, has definitely helped out a lot. And now, with Kyrie playing with the first team, and me coming in with the second team, we’re really able to come in and feed off each other’s energy when we’re out there playing. SLAM

Cleveland Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson 

The numbers published Saturday on Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson's contracts were a bit off. Irving's four-year deal is worth $24.4 million and Thompson's is $17.7 million. The first year of Irving's deal is worth $5.3 million. Thompson will make $3.8 million. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson 

Tom Withers: Cavs have signed rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. Both cleared to practice. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson 

Tristan Thompson is just fine with being perhaps the most ignored No. 4 overall draft pick in NBA history. “I got nothing to worry about,” Thompson said, laughing. “The pressure’s on Kyrie.” FOXSportsOhio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson 

Soon, Thompson will get to train with his new teammates in Cleveland. Yes, that includes Irving. “He’s the No. 1 pick and he outright deserved that, to have the spotlight on him,” Thompson said. “He’s one of the faces of the franchises, so to speak.” FOXSportsOhio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: #Cavs have begun talking to agents for Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. Those deals should get done before opening of camp on Dec. 9 Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson 

The organization would also love to get Nash involved again and Nash appears to be playing along a bit. He has been exchanging messages via Twitter with various up-and-coming Canadian players, including first-round picks Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, point guards Myck Kabongo and Kevin Pangos and Andrew Wiggins, considered the best Canadian prospect since Nash himself. “I would love to have him involved in this program in whatever way makes sense to him at whatever point makes sense to him. It would be a very significant step forward for the entire program,” Parrish said. Toronto Sun

Steve Nash, Canada, Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph 

Jason Lloyd: #Cavs rookie Tristan Thompson confirmed to play in LBJ game at JAR on Dec. 1. Full rosters not announced yet. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Lockout, Tristan Thompson 

But the NBA lockout has put everything on hold. So Thompson, who left school for the pros after wrapping up his freshman year last spring, is back as a full-time student, at least for as long as the NBA owners and players can't agree on how to divide $3.82 billion in revenue. His three adjectives? "Funny, intelligent, and swaggy." His last proves the first, and gets a laugh from classmates in one of the four courses he's taking on his way to a degree in communications and one day, perhaps, a career in broadcasting. Basketball can wait; for now Thompson is a maturing student learning a very different set of lessons. SportsNet

Cleveland Cavaliers, Tristan Thompson