The Cleveland Cavaliers’ veteran has been given a “second chance” after serving a suspension for using a banned substance in January 2024.

Famous for his time playing alongside LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, center Tristan Thompson has fallen into a state of uncertainty, playing for 5 different teams in 4 seasons, almost unable to find a stable place to land.

And then he was given the opportunity to return to his old home, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2023-24 season as an experienced pillar for the club. But when the season was only halfway through, Thompson was suspended by the NBA for 25 games after testing positive for not one but two different banned substances in January 2024.
Tristan Thompson (right) when LeBron James was playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is now considered an experienced pillar of the club.
In addition to the 25 games he was forced to sit out, Tristan Thompson played 49 games for the Cavaliers, averaging 3.3 points in more than 11 minutes of play per game. 

This number is not impressive for a player at the age of 33. Add in the above-mentioned penalty related to banned substances, it is difficult to think that Thompson will stay in Cleveland.

However, the team’s management made a surprising decision. Instead of turning their backs on the 1991-born center, the Cavaliers gave Tristan Thompson another chance with a 1-year contract and minimum salary.
Despite a suspension for banned substances at the end of last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers still decided to extend the contract of Tristan Thompson.


Since being selected with the 4th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Tristan Thompson has been with the Cleveland Cavaliers for 9 seasons, winning a championship with his teammates in 2016.

The Canadian bigman then lost his place in the Cavaliers’ rejuvenation efforts, moving to play for the Boston Celtics but was traded before his contract expired. 

Thompson then played for teams such as Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and returned to his old home Cavaliers before the 2023-24 season.

Thompson’s (left) experienced role as a mainstay is highly valued in a squad with many young stars like the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As a team with many rising stars, the Cleveland Cavaliers need a pillar of experience and strong personality in the locker room. Tristan Thompson is a suitable choice for this goal as he is an NBA champion.

He is capable of helping to “restrain” big egos like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland and at the same time sharing experience with Evan Mobley, a potential bigman being nurtured by the Cavaliers.