Tristan Thompson re-signs with Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year deal

After a tumultuous journey through five different teams in just under four years, Thompson has decided to make a comeback with his hometown team in Cleveland for the 2023 season. He has recently inked another short-term deal to solidify his role as a veteran leader for the team throughout the 2024-25 season.

Free agent C Tristan Thompson is finalizing a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. Thompson has played 10 of his 13 seasons with the Cavs. President Koby Altman and Klutch CEO Rich Paul are finishing up an agreement. pic.twitter.com/XrgJLPNWIx

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2024

Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Cavaliers in 2011, and spent nine seasons with the team — winning an NBA championship in 2016. He signed a two-year contract with the Boston Celtics in 2020, but was traded to the Sacramento Kings a year later. In the years since, Thompson bounced to the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers before settling with his former team ahead of the 2023-24 season.

In January, he was suspended for 25 games after testing positive for two banned substances: ibutamoren, an artificial growth hormone, and SARM LGD-4033, a muscle enhancement drug that mimics the effects of testosterone.

Outside of the suspension, Thompson averaged 11.2 minutes in 49 games with the Cavs, averaging 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and one assist per game.

Thompson's return to the team will provide a veteran presence to Cleveland's relatively young core, which includes All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.