Alright, hoop heads, buckle up! We’ve got some juicy Cavs news to dive into.
Thompson’s Back in Town!
Guess who’s making a comeback? Yup, Tristan Thompson is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year deal. His agent, Rich Paul, hammered out the details with the team on Friday. Although the ink isnโt dry yet, sources close to the action spilled the beans. Thompson, now 33, is gearing up for his second stint with the Cavs after bouncing around with the Celtics, Kings, Pacers, Bulls, and Lakers since 2020.
Free agent C Tristan Thompson is finalizing a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. Thompson has played 10 of his 13 seasons with the Cavs. President Koby Altman and Klutch CEO Rich Paul are finishing up an agreement.
โ Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)
From Rookie to Veteran
Man, time flies! Thompson kicked off his NBA journey with the Cavs back in 2011 and spent nine solid seasons there. Remember that epic game against the Pistons in 2020? He dropped a career-high 35 points, snagged 14 boards, and swatted three shots. Talk about a monster performance!
Over his 13-season career, spanning 779 games (478 starts), heโs averaged 8.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game. Not too shabby, right? Plus, he’s shooting a respectable 52.1% from the field. Free throws? Well, letโs just say there’s room for improvement at 59.7%.
Last Season’s Rollercoaster
Okay, so last season wasnโt exactly a highlight reel for Thompson. In 49 games off the bench, he averaged 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per game. But hey, he did hit a career-best 60.8% from the floor! The free-throw line, though? A cringe-worthy 28.8%. Ouch.
One bright spot was the game against the Magic in December 2023. Thompson put up 10 points and grabbed 13 boards in 28 minutes. I think that’s a glimpse of what he can still bring to the table.
The Veteran Presence
Sure, Thompson isnโt the player he used to be, but the Cavs value his veteran leadership. With the team dealing with injuries last season, having a seasoned pro like Thompson around is crucial. They managed to edge out the Magic in a seven-game series in the first round of the playoffs but fell to the Celtics in the semis. Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor?
Drafted fourth overall by the Cavs in 2011, Thompson was a key piece of the 2016 championship squad alongside LeBron. The guy’s been to four straight Finals with LeBron-led teams. Thatโs some serious experience right there.
So, what do you think? Will Thompson’s return make a difference for the Cavs this season? Or is it just a sentimental reunion? Letโs hear your thoughts!
