LeBron James reiterated once again that the Cleveland Cavaliers should prioritize re-signing free-agent forward Tristan Thompson this offseason.

Thompson, who is a restricted free agent, remains without a contract more than a month since the free-agency period started. For James, keeping Thompson should be their top objective in the coming days.

"Our No. 1 objective right now is to sign Tristan," James told reporters on Thursday. "He's a huge part of our team. Short term and long term he makes our team more dangerous."

Thompson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, had a solid year last season. His averaged went down to 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds -- from 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds during the 2013-14 season -- but had huge impact on both ends of the floor for the Cavaliers.

The 24-year-old power forward also stepped up during the playoffs after Kevin Love went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. In 20 playoff games, the former Texas standout posted 9.6 points on 55.8 percent shooting from the field to go along with 10.8 rebounds, including 4.4 offensive boards.

According to the ESPN report, Thompson is looking for a five-year maximum deal worth around $94 million, but the Cavaliers are not willing to offer such contract to the four-year veteran at this point.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Thompson could accept a one-year qualifying offer worth $6.8 million to stay in Cleveland next season.

However, agent Rich Paul, who also represents James, told multiple media outlets that Thompson will leave Cleveland if he will be forced to accept the qualifying offer.

If Thompson decides to accept the qualifying offer, he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer and will be free to sign elsewhere without giving the Cavaliers a chance to match the offer to keep him.

James praised their front office for the moves that they made this offseason, but the four-time Most Valuable Player reiterated that they need Thompson back next season.

"Things need to be worked out from his side and the Cavs, but we need him back," James said. "I think our front office has done a great job this summer. The next step is to get Tristan done."

The Cavaliers struck new deals with James, Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert, James Jones and Matthew Dellavedova this summer. They also signed veteran free agents Mo Williams and Richard Jefferson.

Aside from Thompson, the Cavaliers have yet to re-sign starting shooting guard J.R. Smith. The 29-year-old opted out of the final year of his contract worth $6.4 million -- a decision that backfired because he is not expected to get more than the amount he left on the table to become a free agent.

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