Tristan Thompson is back for another season in the NBA, and it’s with the organization he knows best. The big man has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Cavaliers, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Thompson has spent the vast majority of his career with the Cavs, suiting up there in 10 of his 13 seasons. The big man played in 49 games last season for Cleveland, putting up averages of 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He was also suspended 25 games last season for violating the league’s drug policy.
Thompson, 31, spent one season with the Celtics during the 2020-21 campaign. He played in 54 games (43 starts), averaging 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Thompson was dealt to the Kings in a three-team deal that following 2021 offseason as he had a brief tenure in Boston.
The Cavs are coming off a strong showing last year, going 48-34, though they shook things up after firing coach JB Bickerstaff. Now, Cleveland is led by Kenny Atkinson as the Cavs are looking to take another step toward competitiveness. Cleveland made it to the second round of the playoffs, falling to the Celtics in five games.
Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Cavs in the 2011 draft, playing the first nine seasons of his career there. Famously, he helped the Cavs win the 2016 NBA Finals alongside LeBron James.
