Tristan Thompson had quite a last hurrah with Cavs, if it’s near-end

If the end of Tristan Thompson on the Cleveland Cavaliers is near, it was quite a last hurrah for the veteran big man this season.

Tristan Thompson has always been a player that fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers will appreciate for what he gave to the squad for what was nearly nine seasons, since he was drafted by the squad back in 2011.

Looking at this 2019-20 campaign, Thompson had probably his best season from an individual standpoint in his career, too.

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In this NBA season thus far, which is currently suspended due to precautions being exercised in order to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Thompson is on track for career-highs in points with 12.0 per game, along with assists per outing, with 2.1, according to Basketball Reference.

He’s also continued to do what he’s always done, as TT has averaged 10.1 rebounds per outing, and had a solid 0.9 blocks per game, too.

Thompson was rolling along this season, and then it seemed that he was very likely a player that’d be traded by the 2020 deadline, especially given that it was reported by The Athletic‘s Joe Vardon (subscription required) that Thompson’s camp believed it was a “priority” that Thompson be moved by the previous February 6 trade deadline.

Instead, TT stayed put, and since, has continued to be an exemplary teammate and in a heck of a curveball by Cavs general manager Koby Altman, Cleveland ended up actually acquiring center Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for John Henson, Brandon Knight and a future second-round pick.

Since that point leading up to the NBA’s season suspension, Thompson, when Drummond and he have been full-go, has been relegated to a bench role, and has still been the model teammate he’s always been, and has been an outstanding reserve contributor.

Post-All-Star break, in seven games active, TT had averaged 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.9 blocks per game going into the NBA’s season suspension, according to NBA.com.

He did have to sit four games combined due to a left knee contusion and then a right eye abrasion, but when he was able to go, Thompson was again a key contributor on both ends of the floor as a player able to switch out admirably in pick-and-roll coverage, a relentless rebounder, effective hand-off man and as always, a player that helped direct youngsters such as Collin Sexton and Darius Garland on the floor, especially defensively.

Clearly, even after LeBron James left the Cavs for the second time in the summer of 2018 via unrestricted free agency, this past time to the Los Angeles Lakers (though it was a totally different set of circumstances), Thompson has stepped up in a primary leadership role, and what he has brought in rebuilding years has been invaluable on and off the floor. He’s again, also had a heck of a 2019-20 season.

Anyhow, it seems that TT’s time with the Cavaliers could very well be coming to a close, as he’s a player on an expiring contract, and in a recent mailbag set of responses, Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor had more to add on Thompson potentially playing elsewhere next season, mostly in relation to Drummond seemingly having a high possibility of opting into his $28.8 million player option for next season.

That’s also factoring in how few NBA teams have projected cap space this offseason, and Fedor then touched on how if Drummond opts in, which is, I would imagine, likely, that TT is unlikely to return next season.

"“That scenario — Drummond picking up his option — would lead to the Cavs committing more than $71 million to three frontcourt players (Drummond, Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr.) for 2020-21. That, alone, makes it unlikely Thompson returns. The playing time won’t be there and the financial commitment in the frontcourt would be large.”"

Granted, Fedor would then hit on how it is not so simple, given how TT is such a key player for the Cavs, and has been a pro’s pro that they would like to bring back on a team-friendly deal, but Fedor sees a sign-and-trade as the most likely outcome, whenever the offseason is, even with TT liking it here and with him earlier in the season having interest in a contract extension.

"“Thompson is an unrestricted free agent. He’s earned a chance to explore the market. What if one of the few teams with cap space makes a pricier-than-expected offer, something well north of the mid-level exception worth around $9 million or $10 million annually? Even though Thompson likes Cleveland, discussing how much it would mean to continue climbing the franchise all-time lists, he would have to consider that.There are plenty of options. For both sides. Given everything, Thompson agreeing to a sign-and-trade, giving him a chance to make more money and getting to a contender, still seems the most likely outcome.”"

Fedor, who mentioned how Kevin Love has been much more bought-in with J.B. Bickerstaff as the Cavs head coach as opposed to John Beilein and could seemingly stick around with Cleveland not wanting to simply deal him just to deal him, also touched on how 2020 NBA Draft prospects, James Wiseman, previously of Memphis, and USC’s Onyeka Okongwu, could be on the radar for the Cavaliers. Plus, in Okongwu’s case, he’s absolutely a player if available at their selection, that the Cavs should strongly consider selecting.

Anyway, in regards to Thompson, if this is the near-end for him as a Cavalier, his performance this season was quite a last hurrah, and myself and Cavs fans everywhere will always be more than appreciative of what TT provided for the Wine and Gold for so long.

Lastly, in terms of recent reported updates involving the novel coronavirus’ impact on the NBA, you can view those here.

Additionally, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday how the league is raising its credit line by $550 million to $1.2 billion, and that after the NBA’s board of governors had a conference call with former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy where he delivered a “grim forecast” on how COVID-19 will be affecting the U.S., that owners were further convinced that the league wouldn’t be resumed before June, if that’s “even possible.”

For more information about COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website (CDC) or the website for your state’s Department of Health.