Thompson had growth from his rookie campaign into this sophomore showing. However, he plateaued last year and questions have cropped up on what exactly his ceiling is.
Broken via tweet this past week however, was the news that Thompson is being strongly considered as trade bait. The report said he will likely be paired with Anderson Varejao and draft pick considerations.
We've created and broken down 16 possible trade scenarios. These are not rumored trades, merely trades that we think represent the Cavs best-value options for Thompson. Here are the first eight:
1. Cavaliers/Nets
Cleveland receives:
· Brook Lopez
· 2014 1st round pick (Nets)
Brooklyn receives:
· Anderson Varejao
· Tristan Thompson
· 2014 2nd round pick (Cavaliers)
Why it Works:
The Nets are in an interesting position right now, as they are built to win immediately, but lack both the health and the youth to do so. Brook is arguably one of the best centers in the league, but he hasn’t been able to stay on the court. The Cavs swap their consistently good center in Andy as well as a young developing PF to get a legitimate starting center. To make it a little closer to worth it for the Nets, a swap of 2014 picks is in order.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
Because Brooklyn isn’t going to trade Brook Lopez. Period.
If you need more, here it is: Lopez is the youngest cornerstone of an aging Nets team that managed to secure a mid-tier Eastern playoff spot. With Lopez in the mix the Nets probably vanquish the Raptors much quicker. Without Lopez they got pushed to seven games and a last second shot (and should have been ousted). He gives them versatility, offensive production, and can occasionally stick his hand up near the rim. He’s arguably their best player when healthy. Unless Prokhorov decides that this team is going the way of the Berlin Wall, don’t expect this trade to happen.
Probability Score: 2/10
2. Cavaliers/Bucks
Cleveland receives:
· Larry Sanders
· Carlos Delfino
· 2015 1st round pick (Bucks)
Milwaukee receives:
· Anderson Varejao
· Tristan Thompson
· 2014 1st round pick (Cavaliers)
Why it Works:
The Bucks should love Larry Sanders. When active and performing, Sanders anchors that defense into a top-10 blocks team (while recording 2.8 blocks himself in 2012-2013). Problem is, he hasn’t been able to stay on the court. Injuries and substance abuse have kept him in a suit for too long. On top of that, the Bucks didn’t want to be THIS bad this year. They saw themselves as a potential playoff team. Instead, they bottomed out, were consistently ranked as the worst or second-worst team (behind Philly---an intentionally bad team) and Sanders regressed. This trade gives them flexibility and the ability to play a brand new frontline.
For the Cavs, it means rim protection and spacing. Yes, you have to cede a first round pick (something negotiable in the final sum, I imagine) but Sanders is a high-upside prospect that could erase some of Irving and Waiters' defensive mistakes. He helps this team now. And Delfino spaces the floor. It’s doable.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
Cavs management probably aren’t sold on Sanders, who has had one really good season, and fell off a cliff in terms of production last year. Also, the Bucks pick has the potential to be a top 3 pick, which won’t be traded for anything less than a goldmine.
Probability Score: 4/10
3. Cavaliers/Bucks
Cleveland receives:
· Larry Sanders
· Ersan Ilyasova
Milwaukee receives:
· Anderson Varejao
· Tristan Thompson
· 2014 1st round pick (Cavaliers)
Why it Works:
The Cavs are willing to take a risk on the high salary of Sanders for the defensive upside and potential to be a cornerstone in the middle of the court for years to come. Ilyasova stretches the floor exactly in the way that Tristan only wishes he could, on top of being an incredibly efficient player. The Bucks want some stability for the future and are willing to take on the vet contract of Varejao that gives them some financial flexibility after this year. Tristan helps fill a bit of the void in the middle that Sanders will leave, along with having potential upside of a good two-way player. The additional 1st round pick is just the icing on the cake.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
The contracts are brutal. Sanders still isn’t a safe pick. Illyasova has a four year commitment from the Bucks and that probably scares Cavs’ management. Dumping this year’s first rounder for two front-line question marks is not appealing.
Probability Score: 6/10
4. Cavaliers/Celtics
Cleveland receives:
· Jeff Green
· Victor Faverani
Boston receives:
· Anderson Varejao
· Tristan Thompson
· 2014 2nd round pick (Celtics)
Why it Works:
Not a flashy move by any means, and it would mean giving up a young, developing player, but it fills a huge need for this team. The Cavs have not had a starting-caliber SF since LeBron left, and Green gives them exactly that. Faverani is there merely to give the Cavs additional depth at the big man positions, although he will most likely be locked behind (hopefully) Hawes and Zeller. Boston likely would love to have a proven center to go along with Sullinger in the frontcourt and get another solid big-man to either play alongside Sully, or come off the bench.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
Boston doesn’t want to get older and Varejao is old. Brad Stephens could probably work mojo magic on Thompson and turn him into a solid frontline guy, but the Celtics already have Sullinger---essentially a more bruising, slightly more polished version of Thompson. When you’re not getting anything terribly favorable out of the deal, it’s hard to imagine Boston pulling the trigger. Lateral moves aren’t appealing, unless the Celtics are enamored with Wild Thing or Double T.
The Cavs might not be sold on Faverani, even as a back-up. And if they’re not sold on Zeller and can’t retain Hawes, the move becomes dicey at best. Green is an appealing piece but is Cleveland offering enough and can he be consistent?
Probability Score: 4/10
5. Cavaliers/Magic
Cleveland receives:
· Jason Maxiell
· Maurice Harkless
Orlando receives:
· Tristan Thompson
· 2014 2nd round pick (Cavaliers)
Why it Works:
Harkless is a commodity. He’s shown flashes of potential during his two-year tenure in Orlando. Yes, he’s been unable to crack the starting line-up without injury help. But Harkless looked promising during those minutes and his shot has been improving. If he can continue to develop, he could join a young core with Waiters and Irving. Maxiell provides defense and rebounding, and prevents much of a dropoff with Thompson’s departure.
The trade is low-risk for everyone. Orlando doesn’t give up much and gets a starter in return (even if it is a Cleveland starter). Cleveland gets a wealth of potential in Harkless and veteran leadership in Maxiell. It’s a win-win.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
Nothing too proven about this trade, and most likely is just trading for the sake of trading. The Cavs are absolutely in “win now” mode and I don’t know if Harkless is proven enough to get Griffin to pull the trigger on a trade like this. Maxiell is also a hefty contract to take back for a player who has been average at best. Thompson also may not be enough talent to convince the Magic to take him back in a trade, especially since there would be a considerable amount of overlap between his and Andrew Nicholson’s games. Most likely there are better trades on the market for both teams.
Probability Score: 2/10
6. Cavaliers/76ers
Cleveland receives:
· Thaddeus Young
· 2014 2nd round pick (Pelicans)
Philadelphia receives:
· Tristan Thompson
· Alonzo Gee
· Sergey Karasev
Why it Works:
The 76ers are void of talent outside of MCW, Young, and (possibly) Noel. Young has previously mentioned that he is not happy at all in the situation he’s in, and he’s too good of a player to be forced to stay on a team that’s 3-4 years away from competing. The Cavs give the 76ers both depth and experience to a team direly in need of it, as well as giving the team more financial flexibility, while the Cavs receive a piece that fills a gaping hole. Young could prove to be a great fit on this team that direly needs defense and scoring from the wings.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
Philly isn’t sold on Thompson and doesn’t want to take on the contract for Gee (a mostly useless piece for that team). Young is a better player, right now, than Thompson. Philly will add a top-3 player from the draft, another first rounder, and they’re not willing to dump Young from that core. Plus, Philly’s GM has no interest in trading picks. Sam Presti is an analytics freak who was dumping talent at a historic rate. The guy wants picks and young talent.
And Cleveland probably likes Young and that first rounder. But I just don’t see Philly making this play.
Probability Score: 4/10
7. Cavaliers/Wizards
Cleveland receives:
· Otto Porter
Washington receives:
· Tristan Thompson
· 2014 2nd round pick (Cavaliers)
Why it Works:
Porter has struggled to get on the court in Washington. Trevor Ariza was in a contract year and decided to play like it. Porter battled nagging injuries and was never given a fair shake at earning minutes. In Cleveland, he could thrive. He earns starting minutes (probably) and shows some type of potential and David Griffin suddenly looks like a genius.
Washington gets to abort a disastrous first round pick, shoulder that onto Cleveland (who already has Anthony Bennett, what are they thinking?) and add a solid big to their rotation. Thompson gets to learn from Marcin “The Polish Hammer” Gortat and Nene. Seems like a win-win.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
Washington doesn’t want to give up on Porter just yet, and it will take more than a player that hasn’t lived up to his expectations and a 2nd round pick to pry him away. Cleveland again wants proven commodities and may not be wanting to set aside precious court time on developing yet another player when they are gunning for the playoffs. The Cavs might also think that they can get a player that will do just as well as Porter with the 9th pick in the 2014 draft.
Probability Score: 2/10
8. Cavaliers/Nuggets
Cleveland receives:
· Danilo Gallinari
· Evan Fournier
· 2014 1st round pick (Nuggets)
Denver receives:
· Anderson Varejao
· Tristan Thompson
Why it Works:
Cleveland fills a few holes in a big way, as well as moves much closer towards the type of team that Griffin would like to put on the court. Both Gallanari and Fournier can stretch the floor in a big way from the wings and open up the floor for Kyrie and Dion to drive to the hole. Denver would probably be happy to get out from the gigantic contract that they gave Gallanari, and they absolutely need players that can contribute immediately, more-so than Fournier. The Cavs get a 1st rounder in return for taking off a huge contract from the Nuggets.
Why it Doesn’t Work:
Gallinari hasn’t lived up to his hype. He was supposed to be an Italian superstar (wasn’t he calling himself the Italian Stalion at one point?) and has instead been plagued by injuries and only occasional flashes of brilliance. His field goal percentage has dropped to about .420 and his rebounding is mediocre. The advanced stats say his defensive rating has dropped every year he’s been in the league (or otherwise flatlined). Getting Denver’s first rounder helps, but is this enough value in return?
Probability Score: 5/10
Stay tuned to Moondog Landing for part two of the Tristan Thompson trade scenarios.