The Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing for a return run to the NBA Finals with or without Tristan Thompson, who’s currently holding out.
After Thompson opted not to attend training camp Friday after letting a one-year, $6.8 million qualifying offer expire Thursday, the Cavs sent a message of their own.
Cleveland brass started the process of removing the restricted free agent’s likeness from all signage in Quicken Loans Arena and the team store, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ message on Friday, considered the first official day that Tristan Thompson’s contract standoff with the team escalated to a “holdout” situation, was loud and clear:
If you are not going to be present for training camp, you are not going to be weighing on our minds.
The Cavs spent Friday removing Thompson’s likeness from any signage that adorns Quicken Loans Arena, as captured in a tweet by Northeast Ohio Media Group’s Chris Haynes:
An elevator at The Q is getting a facelift today... pic.twitter.com/naNoWilFjl
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 2, 2015
Looking for @RealTristan13 signage and merchandise around The Q? Good luck. #Shootaround pic.twitter.com/oP0IxMdy1C
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) October 3, 2015
The Cavs kick off the preseason action against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 7.
By Glenn Erby
