Cleveland Cavaliers player watch: Tristan Thompson’s milestones to look for in 2016-17

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrates after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) celebrates after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) grabs a rebound against Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: John G. Mabanglo-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) grabs a rebound against Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: John G. Mabanglo-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

4,000th Total Rebound

Last year, Thompson signed a five-year, $82 million contract that some critics questioned before the 2015-16 season. But Thompson proved his worth, showing the world that he deserved every penny of that contract. One of the biggest reasons he received such an offer in the first place was his ability to hustle and rebound.

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So it should come as no surprise that Thompson can reach a few milestones in the rebound department. The first we’re looking at is for total rebounds. Currently, he has 3,311 total rebounds and an average of 8.5 per game. If he can grab that over his career average of 77 games, he’ll wind up just shy of 4,000. But if he plays all 82 games again, he can reach that mark.

Moreover, Thompson, averaged more rebounds per game last year at 9.0, so if he gets that number over 77 games, he will be able to grab his 4,000th rebound. Either way, Thompson will be climbing the franchise’s top 10 total rebounding list this year, possibly passing Jim Brewer (8th with 3,551), Larry Nance (7th with 3,561) and Jim Chones (6th with 3,790).