Tristan Thompson is set to reprise his role as the Cavaliers’ third center.
Thompson and the Cavaliers agreed to a one-year contract at the veteran minimum, story broken by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This gives the Cavaliers 14 players on the roster, plus three two-way players, and that is likely what they will take into the season.
Thompson played the “breaking glass in case of emergency” big role for the Cavaliers last season, getting into 49 games and giving the team some physicality when called upon. What the 12-year veteran provides more of is maturity and professionalism – he’s a highly respected player in the locker room who mentors the Cavaliers’ youngsters. He also has the thing that all new Cavaliers stars are chasing: a ring.
Cleveland returns the same starting frontcourt from the last few years, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. While that duo was one of the better frontcourts in the league, one strong defensively, they never quite clicked on offense. Cleveland is counting on new coach Kenny Atkinson for the pair to mesh, helping Mobley make a jump on the offensive end rather than simply showing flashes. Cleveland is making the same bet with Atkinson and the backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell that more movement in the offense can help them thrive.
The Cavaliers were the number 4 seed for two straight years in the East, but for all the talent, the sum was never more than the individual players. Atkinson is being asked to change that, and this will be an interesting test of how big of a difference a coach can make in the NBA.
You can bet Atkinson will lean on Thompson for leadership in the locker room.
