Multiple NBA teams have identified veteran center Tristan Thompson as a player the Cavaliers would be willing to move in the right deal, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports.
While it’s not clear what the “right” deal would look like for Cleveland, Charania suggests that Thompson would be a prime candidate to head the other way if the Cavs were to make a move for a player like Clippers center DeAndre Jordan.
Thompson, who will turn 27 in March, has been a regular part of the Cavaliers’ rotation since being selected fourth overall in the 2011 draft. He has appeared in 487 regular season games and another 59 postseason contests over the course of his career, averaging 9.2 PPG and 8.5 RPG in the regular season, primarily as a starter.
However, in 2017/18, injuries have limited Thompson to 21 games, and the Cavs’ system and style of play have limited his importance to the team. In 21 games, the seventh-year big man is averaging just 5.3 PPG and 5.7 RPG in 19.0 MPG, all career lows.
Thompson’s $16.4MM cap hit makes him a logical outgoing piece if the Cavs look to acquire a big-money player, though the fact that he still has two more guaranteed years on his contract beyond this season likely won’t appeal to some potential trade partners.
In addition to Thompson, the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick is Cleveland’s other noteworthy trade asset. The Cavs have reportedly been hesitant to include that Brooklyn pick in any trade offers so far. Charania suggests that stars like Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins would be worth that Nets first-rounder, but neither George nor Cousins are currently on the trade block, despite their expiring contracts and their respective teams’ mediocre first-half results.
If Cavs could get Cousins, George or Jordan include the pick with TT and go for it. Tristan doesn’t fit anymore. We need to do something!
The Cavs will not trade that first round pick from the Nets. They absolutely will not. It is insurance for Lebron leaving and starting the rebuild.
They’re not going to trade it to upgrade this year, they are fine and will go as far as LeBron will take them this year. A trip to the finals and perhaps an upset of the Warriors. No upgrade needed.
No sure thing that Cleveland makes it to the finals this year. They just got killed by a very much improved Raptors team and Boston is legit as well. Not to mention the east as a whole is tougher. Indiana and Milwaukee have both given the Cavs trouble this year as well and they could meet either of those teams in the 1st round. Wizards are still out there too.
Well they need to change their minds and use the pick to get an upgrade this year. Keeping Lebron in Cleveland is dependent on them winning the championship. If they lose again he will walk so if they want him to stay they need to win this year. Also let’s stop acting like that pick is some great prize it’s pry not even going to be a top 5 pick. There is no player that will make Cleveland the contender they are now for the next 5 years if Lebron leaves. Especially not a 19-20 year old kid.
All true yes but, I think LeBron also leaves if they win. He will feel like he did his job and brought championships to Cleveland. I just think he’s leaving either way.
Trading away a pick would at most mean two more years rebuilding. Considering team usually rebuild around five years to become legit championship contenders, a pick is worth a higher chance of championship. Plus not trading the pick might be the reason why LbJ will leave.
Of course the Cavs would be willing to move TT. He is overpaid for the little bit that he produces. Top that he is hurt often.
He is not hurt “often”. Prior to this year he missed 4 games in 5 seasons. It’s that dang Kardashian curse that’s had him sidelined much of this season (joking).
Cavs owner needs to realize this is the last time in his life he’ll have a chance to own a championship team and if he doesn’t keep lebron happy he’ll leave. If lebron leaves that franchise value gets cut in half. So as a business decision he knows he’s got to shed tristons contract and add some muscle down low so lebron isn’t the only rim protector
What hadn’t he done up to now?
If cavs don’t make a positive move, their pick may end up being the more valuable between the nets pick and their’s.
Get Kent Bazemore or Tyreke Evans + Either DeWayne Dedmon, Kyle O’Quinn, Marc Gasol, Nerlens Noel, Aaron Gordon, Julius Randle, JaMychal Green, (Josh Smith), Dwight Howard, Derrick Favors, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, or Cauley-Stein…
Nice list. Useful players