The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a quiet offseason up to this point. They selected Jaylon Tyson and Luke Travers during this year’s draft. However, outside of these two, the team made no external moves. The Cavaliers did, however, agree to contract extensions with numerous key players. Evan Mobley signed a five-year, $224.2 million contract extension. Jarrett Allen agreed to a three-year, $90.7 million contract extension. And, perhaps most importantly, the Cavaliers signed star guard Donovan Mitchell to a three-year, $150.3 million extension. Cleveland made very few moves this summer. However, the ones they did make were major priorities. And now, it seems the team is not done bringing their players back. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers are re-signing veteran big man Tristan Thompson to a one-year contract.
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. pic.twitter.com/XrgJLPNWIx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2024
Thompson rejoined the Cavaliers after leaving the team in 2020 to sign with the Boston Celtics as a free agent. The Canadian big man spent the first nine seasons of his career in Cleveland after the team drafted him fourth overall in 2011. With the Cavaliers, Thompson made four NBA Finals appearances. This includes the Cavaliers’ championship team in 2016 when they defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
Cleveland Cavaliers to Bring Back Former NBA Champion
Tristan Thompson’s Return Comes as a Surprise
In August, Hoopswire’s Sam Amico said on social media that the Cavaliers were not going to re-sign Thompson.
Not related to this link, but someone asked “will Tristan Thompson be back with Cavs?” Answer: No. https://t.co/d10vydVG5C
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) August 7, 2024
From Amico’s tweet to now, no reports indicated that a reunion actually was an option for both sides. This makes Thompson’s re-signing a bit of a shock. It is unclear exactly what changed since August. Regardless, the 33-year-old is staying with the Cavaliers and will likely end his career with the team as well.
Tristan Thompson Will Likely Have a Limited Role With the Cavaliers
Thompson’s second stint in Cleveland went significantly differently than his first. Last season, the big man appeared in 49 games for the team, starting none of them. In those games, he averaged 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1 assist in 11.2 minutes. Furthermore, Thompson played in 10 of Cleveland’s 12 playoff games this season, but he averaged just 1.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 8.7 minutes.
It is clear that Thompson’s role with the Cavaliers is not as major as it was when he was the starting center on an NBA Finals team led by LeBron James. However, this does not mean he is not valuable. Thompson is the longest-tenured NBA player currently on the Cavaliers. And unless the team brings back free agent Marcus Morris, Thompson will be the oldest player on the team. His veteran leadership and familiarity within the organization are important and likely the reason the Cavaliers opted to bring him back once again.
