Back to the Land: Cavs Secure Champion Power Forward Tristan Thompson to a One Year Deal
With only about two spots left on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster, Tristan Thompson is said to be finalizing a deal to return to the team for the 2023-24 season.
The NBA big man, Tristan Thompson, is finalizing a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to CEO of Klutch Sports, Rich Paul. The 32-year-old Center is set to return to Cleveland, where he won a title with the Cavs during the 2015-16 season, after most recently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 playoffs.
As the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thompson spent the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Cavs before leaving following the 2019-20 campaign. However, his career has not been smooth sailing since then, as he has bounced around the NBA and even had a stint as an analyst for ESPN. He played 54 games for the Boston Celtics, then moved on to the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, and Chicago Bulls, where he played a total of only 57 games. Finally, with the Lakers, he played only six games during their playoff run last season.
Bringing Thompson back provides several benefits for the Cavs. The team finished as the No. 4 seed in the 2022-23 NBA season, and to continue their progress, they need depth in their frontcourt behind players like Evan Mobley, Georges Niang, Jarrett Allen, and Damian Jones. This is where Thompson can offer support. He is a versatile rebounder and defender who could help their playoff run this season. Last year, the team lacked functional backup bigs in the playoffs, which contributed to their elimination in the first round by the New York Knicks in five games. Having Thompson on the roster ensures stable support on the glass.
Thompson’s comeback to the Cavs could also serve a mentorship role. While he may not receive frequent playing time, his experience and veteran leadership are crucial to the growth of players like Mobley and Allen. His presence on the bench and in the locker room should help toughen them up in terms of rebounding. As a young team, the Cavs need the wealth of experience that Thompson offers. He won the 2016 Championship and played in four finals during his career, averaging 9.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game across his nine seasons with the Cavs. He is a walking bank of basketball knowledge.
Cleveland is hoping to elevate their game this season with Tristan Thompson on the roster. With Mitchell, Garland, Allen, and Mobley, the Cavs have one of the best young cores in the NBA, and with Thompson, their path only gets smoother.
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