Brampton’s Tristan Thompson and Cavaliers agree to 1-year contract for 2024 season, source says

Free agent center Tristan Thompson has agreed to a one-year contract to continue his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.

The 33-year-old Thompson, from Brampton, Ont., returned to the Cavs last season after playing for Boston, Sacramento, Indiana, Chicago and the Los Angeles Lakers since 2020. Thompson played in 49 games last season, averaging 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Thompson’s agent, Rich Paul, finalized the deal with the team on Friday, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed. This season will be Thompson’s 11th with Cleveland.

Although the 6-foot-10 Thompson isn’t as productive on the court as he once was, the Cavs value his leadership for a young team.

Thompson was suspended 25 games by the NBA in January for violating its anti-drug program after the league said he tested positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033. The suspension came just weeks after the Brampton basketballer was named as a global ambassador by the Special Olympics International.

Thompson was drafted fourth overall by the Cavaliers in 2011, and won a championship with Cleveland in 2016.

He attended St. Marguerite d’Youville Secondary School before moving to the U.S. for his sophomore year and has gone on to play for the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers between 2020 and 2023 before returning to the Cavaliers this season.

The Brampton basketballer also made tabloid headlines after cheating on his partner and reality TV star Khloé Kardashian while she was pregnant with the couple’s first child

Cleveland battled through numerous injuries last season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before being beaten in five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Celtics, who went on to win the title.

Thompson was drafted by the Cavs in 2011 with the No. 4 overall pick. He became a core member of the Cleveland team that won the NBA championship in 2016.

Thompson has averaged 8.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in 779 career games.

– With files from INsauga.com