2 young Cavs who will benefit greatly from Tristan Thompson signing
By Dan Gilinsky
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.