LA Lakers Sign Former NBA Champion For Playoff Run

He was a key piece alongside LeBron James for his championship run in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, now he'll re-join LeBron for another playoff run. The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly signing free agent big man Tristan Thompson.  

The Lakers are signing Tristan Thompson, per @mcten pic.twitter.com/nwbyvEMprt

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 9, 2023

According to Dave McMenamin, the 11-year NBA veteran is being signed, along with another depth piece, this one for the backcourt, Shaq Harrison.

The Lakers are signing two players today to add depth for the postseason, sources told ESPN. L.A. will sign guard Shaq Harrison, a defensive-minded point guard, and Tristan Thompson, a veteran center with playoff experience on LeBron James’ teams in Cleveland. Both players…

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 9, 2023

So while the Lakers get themselves another Shaq, it should be interesting to see what Thompson has left after not having played in the NBA this season. His last game action was last year with the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls. He averaged 6.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in just under 16 minutes per game for the trio of teams. 

Back in 2016, Thompson provided 9.0 rebounds per game for the Cavs in their playoff run, including 16 boards in a big Finals Game 6 victory, as they went on to deliver Cleveland's first-ever NBA championship in a 7-game series win over the Golden State Warriors. 

Over his career, Thompson has averaged 9.0 points and 8.4 boards. 

Harrison spent much of the season in the G League with the South Bay Lakers. In 32 games, he averaged 13.6 points and 8.3 assists. He also had a five-game cameo this year with the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 8.8 points.

Photo: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports