Darius Garland played one season with Thompson, in what was Garland’s rookie year with the Cavs in 2019-20.
In Garland’s case, he can benefit from Thompson’s veteran presence again this go-round, but especially from Thompson’s postseason experience.
Thompson can aid Garland as it pertains to him fine-tuning his pick-and-roll play and getting bigs involved throughout contests, however, he might really make a difference is the leadership aspect.
Thompson of course is a ways away from his 2015/2016 days back with LeBron and company with the Cavs, but with how LeBron helped him grow as a leader, perhaps he can do some of the same for Garland.
Young guys who were Thompson’s teammates in those second post-LeBron years always praised how Thompson was an exemplary teammate in that stretch, and DG was seemingly in that mold as well.
So, at least from an off-floor and professionalism perspective, Garland can take plenty from Thompson. Double T was in a ton of postseason games, and his experience in those settings should only help younger Cavs like Garland.