Back on the very first day of free agency on July 1, it was reported that Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson and the team were closing in on a deal that would pay the 24-year-old $80 million over four years. It's the middle of August, and still, no deal has been put in place.

Citing Sportsnet, CBSSports.com reports that Thompson is considering a qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next year. His agent Rich Paul has indicated that if it comes to that, this coming season may be the last one he'll be spending in the state of Ohio.

"'All I know is TT on Qualifying Offer will be his last year with the Cavs' - Rich Paul on Tristan Thompson negotiations," Michael Grange of Sportsnet tweeted Monday, clarifying in a later tweet that while negotiations with the Cavs are ongoing, if he has to settle for the qualifying offer, he will not return to the team in 2016-17.

As noted by Matt Moore of CBSSports.com, Paul also took a hardline with Eric Bledsoe's negotiations with the Phoenix Suns last season, and eventually got his client the five-year, $70 million deal he wanted. Paul reportedly wants a max contract from the Cavs.

The fourth overall pick in 2011 made a statement during this past playoffs, emerging as one of the league's best rebounders, and proving to be a versatile defender off the pick and roll. Back in May, LeBron James said that Thompson "should be a Cavalier for life." Thompson and James share the same agent.

ESPN points out, though, that should Thompson take the qualifying offer of less than $7 million for this coming season, it would make fiscal sense as it lowers the cap hit the Cavs would have to absorb, and would allow the team to retain Thompson's Bird Rights, as well as offer him the largest possible contract next year.