AKRON, Ohio — Cavaliers center/forward Tristan Thompson signed a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum, though it’s not fully guaranteed.
But that will all change if Thompson is still on the roster through at least Jan. 7, as first reported by Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.
If that’s the case, Thompson will earn his full $3.2 million salary, with the Cavs’ cap hit coming in at 2.02 million, Adams added. The NBA would cover the rest.
Thompson, 32, is at a very different stage of his career than his first time in Cleveland. Since leaving in 2020, he has played for five different teams — the Celtics, Kings, Pacers, Bulls and Lakers.
But the Cavaliers are happy to have him back, with one source telling Hoops Wire that Thompson’s energy and leadership will be great for the likes of center Jarrett Allen and forward Evan Mobley.
After Kevin Love was released last season, the Cavs had no remaining members from their 2016 championship team. Well, now they have one again in Thompson.
He has also played before with Cavs point guard Darius Garland, as the two share an agent in Cleveland product Rich Paul.
Thompson was unsigned all of last season, before latching on with LeBron James and the Lakers in late April. He appeared in six playoff games.
In his last full season of 2021-22, he averaged 6.0 and 5.1 in 57 games combined with the Kings, Pacers and Bulls.
But the Cavs and their fans are just happy he’s back in Cleveland, where it all began when the franchise selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
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