“Tristan should probably be a Cavalier for his whole career,” James said Monday, via CBS Sports. “There’s no reason why he shouldn’t. This guy is 24 years old, he’s played in 340-plus straight games, and he’s gotten better every single season. It’s almost like ‘What more can you ask out of a guy?’ "
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Thompson has steadily improved since being drafted by the Cavs fourth overall in the 2011 draft. His role diminished slightly this season with the acquisition of Kevin Love (Thompson started just 15 games this season after starting all 82 in the previous two), but his play off the bench and in Love’s absence this postseason has turned Cleveland into a defensive nightmare for opponents.
Thompson and James also have the same agent, Rich Paul. So that can’t hurt when Thompson sits down with Cleveland executives in search of a lucrative long-term deal.