The Cleveland Cavaliers have been making some big moves this offseason, starting with the draft where they selected Jaylon Tyson and Luke Travers. While those were their only external additions, they made sure to secure key players with contract extensions. Evan Mobley signed a massive five-year, $224.2 million deal, Jarrett Allen agreed to a three-year, $90.7 million extension, and the star guard Donovan Mitchell inked a three-year, $150.3 million extension. It’s clear that the Cavaliers are focused on keeping their core intact.
But the surprises didn’t end there. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers are bringing back veteran big man Tristan Thompson on a one-year deal. This move comes as a shock to many, especially after Hoopswire’s Sam Amico had indicated on social media previously that Thompson would not be re-signed by the team. It seems things have changed since then, and Thompson will likely have a limited role with the Cavaliers in his second stint with the team.
Thompson’s return to Cleveland marks a shift from his first tenure with the team. Last season, he played in 49 games but didn’t start any of them. His stats were modest, with averages of 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1 assist in just over 11 minutes per game. During the playoffs, Thompson saw even less playing time, averaging 1.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in under 9 minutes across 10 games.
It’s unclear what prompted the Cavaliers to bring back Thompson, but it’s clear that the team values his presence both on and off the court. With their core roster locked in, including their latest addition in Thompson, the Cavaliers are setting themselves up for a strong season ahead. Fans will be eager to see how Thompson fits back into the team and contributes to their success.
