2 young Cavs who will benefit greatly from Tristan Thompson signing
By Dan Gilinsky
![Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/aa1e9c5702313853d26497613e45febb565921e713b77267235e385099062769.jpg)
No. 2: Darius Garland
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.
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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.