While the Thompson signing made ripples across the NBA, it created tidal waves in Cleveland. On the court, Thompson was always a consistent player with the Cavaliers and last season was one of their best players. It was never a surprise to see Thompson gobbling up rebounds on both ends of the court but, he was also a force offensively as well - averaging a career-best 12.0 points per game last season. Thompson even added a three-point shot to his repertoire as well! He even was able to hit one before Ben Simmons could in Philadelphia.
With Thompson now with the Celtics, there is now a major lack of depth at the center position for Cleveland. As of today, only Andre Drummond is the only true center on the roster. According to sources, Kevin Love has been putting on weight this offseason
Instead, Cleveland should shift their focus towards finding quality depth behind Drummond that can also be part of the team’s plans. The only issue is that the Cavaliers only can use their $9.7 million mid-level exception to sign a player at this point. Free agent big man Harry Giles, who averaged 17.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes for the Sacramento Kings last season, could be an option. Giles is only 22 years old and has the potential to be a quality start in this league someday. If not Giles, then players like Willy Hernangomez or Thon Maker also make sense for the Cavaliers.
But, it’s not just Thompson’s impact on the floor that will be missed. What he gave Cleveland off the court was just as if not even more invaluable. When LeBron James first returned to the Cavaliers after a stint with the Miami Heat, he tried to take Thompson, Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters under his wing. Both Irving and Waiters resisted James’s heavy-handed tutelage but Thompson embraced it. James taught him how to treat his body right. How to maximize every practice and workout. He also taught Thompson how to lead both vocally and by example.
When James left a second time and Cleveland was beginning to tear down and rebuild, most would try to get out of town as quickly as possible. Thompson did the opposite of that by actively embracing his new situation. Not only that, but, according to sources, Thompson viewed it as one of his duties to help carry the cultural legacy James had built when he was as young and impressionable as the Cavaliers are now.
So there will be a massive void in Cleveland’s locker room next season with Thompson gone. But, not everything is lost for the Cavaliers culturally. Collin Sexton, the brightest young star on Cleveland’s roster, has been tapped as the team’s cultural leader going forward and will try and continue the legacy James and Thompson have built. Thankfully, according to sources, Sexton already has established himself as a leader in Cleveland’s locker room by earning the respect of all of his teammates through his hard work and determination. Sounds a lot like Thompson, doesn’t it?
With Tristan Thompson joining the Boston Celtics it marks the end of an era. But, it also marks a new beginning for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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I will not have a problem, if they build the team around Sexton.