A familiar face is coming back to where it all began. It’s true what they say, “Home is Where the Heart Is.” Free agent center Tristan Thompson is coming back to Cleveland. He has agreed to a one-year deal.
In the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cavs selected Thompson with the fourth overall pick. This is the same draft class in which he played alongside his former teammate and draft classmate, Kyrie Irving. Before LeBron James returned to the Cavs in 2014, Thompson averaged 11.0 points per game. His scoring dropped when James arrived, but he contributed in many ways. It’s not always about the points.
From 2014 through 2017, some of his best years were mainly during the postseason. His rebounding ability was a significant asset for the Cavs. In the 2015 playoffs, he averaged 10.8 rebounds per game. In 2016, he averaged 9.0 rebounds per game. In 2017, he averaged 8.3 rebounds per game.
In his first NBA Finals appearance in 2015 against the Golden State Warriors, he was sensational at getting offensive rebounds. He gave the Cavs multiple second-chance opportunities. The Cavs could’ve won it all that year had they had a healthy Irving and Kevin Love in that series.
Thompson won’t get a massive amount of playing time, but his championship experience and veteran leadership will be important on a team that hopes to make a postseason run.
Thompson may not be a flashy or profile scorer, but his impact, rebounding, and defense have made him a fan favorite in Cleveland. He played for various teams and became a journeyman, but his legacy will always be helping the Cavs win a championship in 2016.
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