Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 reasons why Tristan Thompson can aid contenders

#3: Thompson would provide dependable bench depth or could start

Thompson has ample experience both in a starting role and as an energy player off the bench. Out of his 553 games played in the regular season in his career, he’s started 372, according to Basketball Reference. Thompson has gladly come off the bench at times in his tenure with the Cavs, and I would imagine he would again on a team that has an established starting frontcourt already and is looking for extra bigs as reserves.

Thompson could also provide that aforementioned starting minutes-share role, too, though, at least for teams dealing with injuries. Amico noted how potential championship contenders are said to be interested, given that Thompson can provide stability on the interior.

Keep an eye on the Houston Rockets, especially, even if a possible deal if anything but concrete right now.

"“While sources did not provide specifics on which teams the Cavs have spoken with, it is believed they are hearing from teams in actual contention. Thompson is a native of Canada and the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors have been interested since the Cavs selected Thompson with the fourth overall draft pick in 2011. The Houston Rockets also just lost center Clint Capela for at least a month with an injured thumb, and have already spoken with the Cavs a few times about exiled shooting guard J.R. Smith. (Though it is believed most of those conversations took place before Smith was told to go home.) The Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers are others who may be interested. But that’s all speculation at this point.”"

Depth is huge this time of the year and obviously in the postseason, with teams often having key injuries to important players, such as the Rockets currently with Capela, who’s one of the best rim-runners, rebounders and shot blockers in the NBA. With Thompson’s elite screening prowess, Houston would not miss a beat with their high-volume pick-and-roll offensive philosophy with James Harden with Capela out in the near term.

That’s far from the only spot where Thompson would fill a valuable depth role, though, and expect the trade rumors to keep coming surrounding him in the coming weeks.