Tristan Thompson is about to reprise his position because the Cavaliers’ third heart.
Thompson and the Cavaliers have agreed to a one-year contract on the veteran minimal, a narrative damaged by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This offers the Cavaliers 14 gamers on the roster, plus three two-way gamers, and that is seemingly what they are going to take into the season.
Thompson performed the “break glass in case of emergency” massive position for the Cavaliers final season, moving into 49 video games and giving the staff some physicality when referred to as upon. What the 12-year veteran gives extra of is maturity and professionalism — he’s a extremely revered participant within the locker room who’s mentoring the Cavaliers youth. He additionally has the factor all the brand new Cavaliers stars are chasing: a hoop.
Cleveland returns the identical beginning frontcourt from the previous few years, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Whereas that duo has been one of many higher frontcourts within the league, one robust defensively, they’ve by no means utterly clicked on offense. Cleveland is banking on new coach Kenny Atkinson getting the pair to mesh whereas serving to Mobley make a leap on the offensive finish quite than merely displaying flashes. Cleveland is making the identical wager with Atkinson and the backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, that extra movement within the offense might help them thrive.
The Cavaliers have been the No. 4 seed for 2 straight years within the East, however for all of the expertise, the sum has by no means been greater than the person gamers. Atkinson is being requested to vary that, and this will probably be an attention-grabbing take a look at of how massive a distinction a coach could make within the NBA.
You’ll be able to wager Atkinson will lean on Thompson for management within the locker room.
