11 Former Celtics that are still available on the free agent market
By Tyler Watts
7. Tristan Thompson
Thompson was the fourth overall draft pick in 2011 and played a key role in LeBron’s second stint with the Cavaliers. Cleveland made the NBA Finals four straight years and won the franchise’s lone championship in 2016. Thompson averaged nearly 30 minutes per game in the playoffs as he offered strong rebounding and finishing inside.
The 6’9 big man left the Cavs for Boston in the 2020 offseason. He lasted just one season in Beantown where he produced 7.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. The Celtics were bounced by the Nets in the first round of the playoffs, and they traded Thompson in the offseason.
He struggled to find a consistent role after leaving Boston. He has played for five different teams in three years and that includes him missing the entire 2022-23 regular season as he wasn’t signed until just before the playoffs.
The 33-year-old is best suited as a third-string center at this stage of his career. He still cleans the glass and finishes inside efficiently. Tristan Thompson will only play limited minutes, but he offers championship experience and strong rebounding. The 6’9 big man has played in eight of the last ten postseasons and could help a contender at some point this season.