The Toronto Raptors don't have heavy interest in Cleveland Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson, according to Michael Grange of Rogers Sportsnet.
The source that refuted the report to Grange described hearing the rumor as “news to me.”
On the due dilligence front: reports the Raptors have heavy interest in Tristan Thompson were described as "news to me" according Raptors folks who would know.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) December 6, 2019
The original report that mentioned the Raptors having trade interest in Thompson was from Sam Amico of Sports Illustrated, referring to Toronto as having “a high interest” in him.
Opposing teams are expected to make serious runs at Tristan Thompson and Jordan Clarkson, both players with expiring contracts. Toronto is said to have a high interest in Thompson, Philadelphia supposedly among those with interest in Clarkson.
Thompson is making $18,539,130 this season and becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. He is putting up 13.9 points and 10.6 rebounds on the season for the Cavs. The 28-year-old is shooting 50.9 percent overall and remains one of the best rebounders in the league.
The Raptors' frontcourt depth chart is headlined by Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol and Chris Boucher. Even though superstar Kawhi Leonard is gone playing for the Los Angeles Clippers and All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry has missed a bevy of games due to his thumb injury, Toronto is still in second place in the Eastern Conference. That's mostly because Siakam has been playing like an All-Star.
Thompson would ideally like to play for a contender, but hasn't asked for a trade from the Cavs, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The Cavs won't compete for a playoff spot this season in the East. They are rebuilding in the second post-LeBron James era.
Thompson was born in Toronto, so he's always been linked to the Raptors.
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