Free agent middle Tristan Thompson has reached an settlement on a one-year deal to return to the Cavaliers, stories ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter hyperlinks).
The fourth total decide within the 2011 draft, Thompson spent his first 9 NBA seasons with the Cavaliers earlier than bouncing across the league and spending time with the Celtics, Kings, Pacers, Bulls, and Lakers from 2020-23. He returned to Cleveland final season, signing a one-year contract with the membership virtually precisely a yr in the past and showing in 49 video games in 2023/24.
As soon as a fixture within the Cavs’ beginning lineup and one of many NBA’s high rebounders, Thompson performed a restricted function final season, contributing 3.3 factors, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 help in simply 11.2 minutes per contest in the course of the common season.
The 33-year-old, who was suspended for 25 video games from January to March for an SPED (steroids and efficiency enhancing medication) violation, averaged 8.7 MPG in 10 postseason appearances off the bench.
Though Thompson is now not a significant contributor on the courtroom, the Cavaliers worth his management, Wojnarowski notes.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com prompt final month that the staff remained looking out for a “cost-effective, playable, end-of-bench veteran” who may very well be a locker room chief like Thompson was final season. It now seems the Cavs could merely have Thompson fill that function once more, although it’s unclear whether or not his new contract might be absolutely assured. It no less than appears secure to imagine that it’s minimum-salary deal.
Previous to formally signing Thompson, Cleveland is carrying 12 gamers on normal contracts, with Isaac Okoro nonetheless a restricted free agent.
