NBA Rumors: Former Celtics Center Re-Signs With East Contender

Tristan Thompson reunited with the Cleveland Cavaliers last September, joining the organization just in time for its short-lived run in the NBA playoffs -- they were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the semifinals. But both sides reached an agreement for yet another run at chasing the Eastern Conference crown.

Thompson signed a one-year deal Friday with the Cavaliers, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, returning to the franchise he's spent 10 of his 13 NBA seasons playing for. The 33-year-old was originally drafted by Cleveland as Thompson was selected fourth overall in the 2011 draft, and played alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving on their 2016 squad, which overcame an improbable 3-1 deficit against Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

Although times have changed and James is no longer Cleveland's king, the Cavaliers are back in the pack of juggernauts in the East, now led by five-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell. Injuries to starting center Jarrett Allen and Mitchell -- after averaging 31.7 points on 51.5% shooting from the field in Games 1 through 3 -- anchored Cleveland's chances of competing with Boston, who was without Kristaps Porzingis. But that doesn't rule out the Cavaliers from a bounce-back season in 2024-25 with Thompson slated to, once again, fulfill a veteran's leader role under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Thompson averaged 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 60.8% from the floor and 28.8% from the free-throw line in 33 games last season, returning after sitting out the entirety of the 2022-23 regular season -- Thompson played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the postseason. Cleveland relied on him for a limited role off the bench through its first two rounds, yet Thompson averaged just 1.5 points with two rebounds.

The Cavaliers endured a 25-game absence of Thompson last season after the NBA suspended him for violating its anti-drug program. Thompson tested positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033, used primarily for muscle growth.

Cleveland finished 48-34, good enough for fourth in the East last season.