BREAKING: Cleveland Cavaliers Reportedly Sign NBA Champion
Tristan Thompson is coming off a year where he appeared in six NBA playoff games for the Los Angeles Lakers (who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals).
This summer, the 32-year-old became a free agent, and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reports that he will sign a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Via Charania: "C/F Tristan Thompson is finalizing a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul told @TheAthletic @Stadium. Thompson is set to return to Cleveland where he was part of 2016 NBA title, four Finals runs, now gives Cavs leadership and some frontcourt depth."
In addition to the Lakers, Thompson has also played for the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
He was initially the fourth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft (out of Texas) by the Cavs and spent the first nine seasons of his career with the franchise and helped them win the 2016 NBA Championship over the Golden State Warriors.
Over 12 seasons, Thompson has career averages of 9.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest while shooting 51.9% from the field in 730 regular season games (he has also appeared in 94 NBA playoff games).
As for the Cavs, they are coming off a year where they were the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 51-31 record.
The franchise made the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season but lost to the New York Knicks in the first round.
