Cavs Bring Back Former LeBron James Teammate, 2016 Championship Member

(Photo : Jason Miller/Getty Images) CLEVELAND, OH - Tristan Thompson (#13) of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards LeBron James (#23) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly honing in on a deal to bring back Tristan Thompson, according to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul.

Thompson is best remembered for being part of the 2016 NBA championship team, providing the needed support to LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love.

While his potential second coming to Cleveland is odd considering the team is investing in the youth, Thompson is likely being taken in to provide a veteran presence and mentor the younger centers on the team like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported.

C/F Tristan Thompson is finalizing a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul told @TheAthletic @Stadium. Thompson is set to return to Cleveland where he was part of 2016 NBA title, four Finals runs, now gives Cavs leadership and some frontcourt depth. pic.twitter.com/ayKEu3JOj1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 11, 2023

Once signed, the Cavaliers will have filled up their roster heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. High expectations are expected of the team, with Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell leading the way.

Thompson played only six games last season after he was picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA playoffs, Bleacher Report noted. He was hardly a factor for the purple and gold, putting up only 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in roughly 5 minutes of action.

Details of the Tristan Thompson deal remain unknown, although Senior NBA columnist John Hollinger claimed the contract is only partially guaranteed.

After his short stint with the Lakers, the chances of Thompson being retained in Los Angeles dimmed when Christian Wood agreed to a two-year deal with the purple and gold, NBA.com reported.

Considering the fourth overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft hardly made a difference in his reunion with LeBron James, it was evident that Tristan Thompson needed to find a new home, which may turn out to be the same team where his NBA journey started.