Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 15 draft picks in franchise history
156. . Center. University of Texas. Tristan Thompson. 8. player
Tristan Thompson was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fourth pick in the Cavs legendary 2011 NBA Draft. This drafted transformed the future of the team with both Kyrie Irving and Thompson being taken in the top five.
Thompson scored over eight points per game in six of his first seven seasons. In his eighth season, Thompson was dropped from the rotation but has made a phenomenal comeback, securing a rotational spot during this improbable Cavaliers potential NBA Finals run.
Thompson, throughout these last few seasons, has been much more than a scorer. His durability has been his most notable trait, playing in every game for four consecutive seasons. At just 27, Thompson is already in the top-20 in points for the Cavaliers and top-10 (No. 6) in rebounds.
Thompson still has at least five years in the NBA and could continue to rise in those rankings. He still has two more seasons on his contract and should easily break the top five in rebounds and top-15 in points before his contract runs out.
The 6-foot-9 center was also an instrumental piece in the 2016 NBA Finals run. For that reason along with his durability and tenacity, Thompson ranks No. 8 on our ranking and could potentially move up the list if he decides to make Cleveland his permanent home.