NBA: Cavaliers bring back Tristan Thompson on 1-year contract

NBA: Cavaliers bring back Tristan Thompson on 1-year contract

FILE – Los Angeles Lakers center Tristan Thompson dunks against the Denver Nuggets in the first half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Final series May 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached agreement on a one-year contract to reunite with center Tristan Thompson, his agent Rich Paul said Monday night.

Thompson won an NBA title with the Cavs in 2016. The 32-year-old spent nine seasons with Cleveland, appearing in four straight Finals on teams led by LeBron James. He and James played together late last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, confirmed Thompson’s deal in a text to the AP.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Tristan Thompson, right, drives past Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Thompson, who was drafted by the Cavs with the No. 4 overall pick in 2011, will give Cleveland some added depth up front, toughness and a player with plenty of postseason experience. He’s appeared in 94 playoff games.

The 6-foot-9 Thompson has averaged 9.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in 730 career games.

Cleveland went 51-31 in the regular season last season and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 before being knocked out in five games by the New York Knicks, who were much more physical than the Cavs.

Thompson has also played for Boston, Sacramento, Indiana and Chicago.

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