"Kris Jenner still pulling strings" - NBA fans roast Cavaliers for re-signing 13-year veteran

Nearly a year after their prior deal, the Cleveland Cavaliers are bringing back Tristan Thompson. The veteran big man and the team agreed to terms on a one-year contract early on Friday, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

"Free agent C Tristan Thompson is finalizing a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. Thompson has played 10 of his 13 seasons with the Cavs. President Koby Altman and Klutch CEO Rich Paul are finishing up an agreement."

Thompson previously returned to the team last season and was part of the rotation when players were out with injuries. He even endured a 25-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug rules.

Considering his age and performances last season, many fans were surprised by this signing. Some praised Rich Paul for getting Thompson another contract and one said that Kris Jenner, his ex-mother-in-law, was working behind the scenes to keep him in the league.

"Kris Jenner still pulling strings," one fan said.

"Rich Paul is a MAGICIAN, this man keeps getting teams to pay for Tristan Thompson 😂🚮," another fan wrote.

"Rich paul is goated because this dude is terrible," another fan said.

Others compared Thompson to players who seemingly don't bring much to their teams but still received new contracts.

One fan wondered if Thompson knew some dirty secret that made the Cavaliers bring him back over and over again.

"Is he that great of a locker room guy or something? Have dirt on ownership? I don't get it. I couldn't understand it last year," one fan commented.

Tristan Thompson wanted to set an example for Cavaliers teammates after being suspended by the NBA

Tristan Thompson has the experience to be a strong presence in the Cavaliers locker room after helping the franchise win its only NBA championship in 2016. Given his history with the team, Thompson was honest with his teammates, took accountability and tried to become a leader for the younger players when he got suspended.

“I held myself accountable,” Thompson said back in March via Chris Fedor. “I told them something happened where I’m going to have to miss some time, so guys have to come in and be big for us. Next man up.”

“I had to show the guys that’s how it is in Cleveland. We take accountability. We hold ourselves to a high standard. If we fall, we have to get back up,” he added.

He played 49 games in the 2023-24 NBA season and averaged 3.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists with the Cavs who eventually advanced to the second round of the playoffs where the Boston Celtics took them out in five games.