Tristan Thompson is a Canadian professional basketball player with an estimated net worth of $45 million. He is well-known for his role in securing the 2016 NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing alongside stars like LeBron James. Over his career, Thompson has also played for several NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers. He has represented Canada internationally, winning a bronze medal at the 2008 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.
Through his first ten years in the NBA, Thompson earned over $110 million in salary, which played a significant role in boosting his wealth.
Early Life and Development
Born on March 13, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Tristan Thompson was the eldest of four sons raised by Trevor and Andrea Thompson, both of whom have Jamaican roots. His basketball journey began in high school, where he initially played for Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School during his freshman and sophomore years. However, a strained relationship with his coach, Dan Hurley, led to Thompson transferring to Findlay Prep in Nevada. This decision proved to be a turning point in his career, as Thompson flourished under coach Michael Peck’s guidance.
After his senior year at Findlay, Thompson was recognized as a McDonald’s All-American and named to the Jordan Brand Classic All-American Team, marking a high point in his high school career. His next step was to play for the University of Texas, where he impressed during his single season. Thompson earned the Wayman Tisdale Award, given to the National Freshman of the Year, and was selected to multiple All-Big 12 teams, including the Second Team, All-Defensive Team, and All-Rookie Team.
Although he had initially planned to return for his sophomore season, Thompson declared for the 2011 NBA Draft after his first year at Texas.
In the 2011 NBA Draft, Tristan Thompson was selected as the 4th pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him the highest-drafted Canadian-born player in NBA history at the time. His debut came in December 2011, during which he faced his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors. Despite only playing 17 minutes, Thompson managed to score 12 points and grab five rebounds. He concluded his rookie season with averages of 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Thompson made a major decision in the summer of 2013 to switch his shooting hand from left to right. Despite the adjustment, he had a standout season, starting all 82 games and recording a career-high 36 double-doubles. The following year, the Cavaliers acquired LeBron James, and the team reached the NBA Finals, marking a significant achievement for Thompson and the Cavaliers.
2015-2019: Championships and Major Contracts
In 2015, Thompson secured a five-year, $82 million contract with the Cavaliers, ending a prolonged contract negotiation that led to his absence from training camp and the FIBA Americas Championship. This contract extension came during a year when the Cavaliers again reached the NBA Finals, famously overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors to claim the championship, ending Cleveland’s 52-year title drought.
Thompson continued his solid performance over the next few years, contributing to the Cavaliers’ third consecutive NBA Finals appearance in 2017, though they ultimately lost to the Warriors in five games. In 2018, the Cavaliers reached the Finals again, but Thompson and his team were swept by the Warriors. In 2019, a foot injury sidelined Thompson for 26 games, but he continued to maintain a strong presence on the court.
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Transition to Other Teams
In 2020, Tristan Thompson signed with the Boston Celtics on a two-year, $18.9 million contract. His time with the Celtics was marked by a career-high 35 points and 14 rebounds in a thrilling overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons in January. In August 2021, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings, and in February 2022, he was again traded to the Indiana Pacers in a multi-team deal. After playing only four games with the Pacers, Thompson mutually agreed to a contract buyout and signed with the Chicago Bulls later that month.
In 2023, Thompson rejoined LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers, marking another chapter in his career. Although his role with the Lakers was limited, this reunion with James symbolized a full-circle moment in Thompson’s professional journey.
Earnings and Contracts
Tristan Thompson’s earnings over his basketball career are considerable. His most lucrative deal came in 2015 when he signed a five-year, $82 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later, he secured a two-year, $18.9 million contract with the Boston Celtics in 2020. Thompson’s one-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 earned him $16,700.
Throughout his 12-year NBA career, Thompson has amassed over $116 million in salary alone, a testament to his longevity and success in the league.
In 2020, Tristan Thompson became a U.S. citizen, solidifying his connection to both Canada and the United States. He has a complex personal life, with notable relationships and family matters drawing public attention.
Tristan’s first major public relationship involved his ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig, with whom he has a son, Prince Oliver Thompson, born in December 2016. After a legal battle over child support, Thompson was ordered to pay $40,000 per month in support, along with a $200,000 lump sum for back payments. He also contributes additional financial support for his son’s private education and medical bills related to Craig’s pregnancy and delivery.
Thompson’s relationship with Khloe Kardashian garnered widespread media attention. The couple welcomed their daughter, True Thompson, in April 2018, but their relationship faced a major setback in February 2019 when Kardashian publicly announced their split after allegations of Tristan’s infidelity with Jordyn Woods, a close friend of Kylie Jenner. Despite this, Thompson and Kardashian briefly reconciled during the COVID-19 pandemic before ending their relationship again in June 2021.
In the same year, a paternity lawsuit was filed against Thompson by another woman, who claimed that Thompson was the father of her child, a fact he later confirmed. He publicly apologized to Kardashian for the affair.
In July 2022, it was announced that Thompson and Kardashian were expecting a second child together via surrogacy. Their son was born on July 28, 2022, further complicating the dynamic of their already-publicized relationship.
Tristan Thompson’s basketball career has been marked by significant achievements, including an NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers and multiple contracts worth tens of millions. Off the court, his personal life has been heavily scrutinized, but he has continued to focus on his career and family. With his net worth continuing to grow from his successful basketball ventures and endorsements, Thompson remains a prominent figure in both the NBA and the public eye.
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