Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA, the league announced today in a press release (Twitter link).
According to the NBA, Thompson violated the terms of the league’s anti-drug program by testing positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033. Both drugs are on the list of prohibited substances in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, under the “steroids and performance enhancing drugs” section.
Under the current CBA, a 25-game ban is the standard for a player who tests positive for a SPED and hasn’t been suspended for a past violation.
Thompson, 32, spent the first nine years of his NBA career in Cleveland from 2011-20, winning a championship with the franchise in 2016. After bouncing around the league in recent years, he rejoined the Cavaliers as a free agent this past September, signing a one-year, minimum-salary contract.
Thompson has played regular minutes as Cleveland’s backup center behind Jarrett Allen this season, averaging 3.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game across 36 appearances.
With Thompson unavailable and Evan Mobley still sidelined due to a knee injury, the Cavs may turn to center Damian Jones for rotation minutes. Jones has seen some action in recent weeks, albeit almost exclusively in garbage time. Two-way player Isaiah Mobley – Evan’s brother – is another frontcourt option, but he has only appeared in three NBA games this season.
The suspension will cost Thompson more than $726K of his $3,196,448 salary — he’ll forfeit 1/110th of his salary per game. Cleveland will be able to move him to the suspended list after five games, opening up another spot on the 15-man roster until he’s eligible to be reinstated.
Trying to revive his NBA career by cheating.
He did revive his career but we all know why now
That explains the phenomenal season he’s been having.
Damn, my man lebron stays squeaky clean
Another bag fumbled…
That’s hilarious. 25 games for steroids and 17 games total for Draymond for putting a coworker in a chokehold and striking another in the face.
The NBA and Adam Silver have become a joke.
That is comical.
So you think cheaters should get lesser punishments?
Considering there is a high chance that a Dr prescribed these to Thompson I agree…
Violent acts just don’t get punished harshly enough for a family orientated entertainment product…
Maybe Silver has done a deal with Vince from WWE and is getting the NBA players ready for a post NBA WWE career… Vince does love cheap heat and Draymond sure knows how to ham up some cheap heat…
I didn’t realize TT was still in the league?
Released and sign derrick favors?
Damn it, Thompson. You fool. At least now Bickerstaff may actually have to play Isaiah Mobley.
Your comment started out sounding like a Scooby Doo villain, so I got really bummed when the last sentence was on task.
I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for you meddling players and your stupid PEDs!
I now know what SARM LGD-4033 is. Thanks Tristan!
One thing we all know about Tristan is, he is always going to cheat.
Would love insight into who they pick and choose to test for these things. I remember Beal got tested after a 60 pt game. Are they gonna test Kat and embiid? Or does silver have a special list. And could we get results for Dray while Quest is still open?
TT = TRT
Kylie Kardashian merchant
Using to likely help with recovery. Roids are not helping shoot better, rebound better, or play smarter. Old body with injuries just trying to hang.
Not an excuse
Here’s the thing
TT one of only a handful of nba players whose role would be enhanced by TRT as he doesn’t shoot dribble or have to think, just react and rebound.
Most nba athletes are too much high performance
Jet pilot quick twitch keys to the engine that
Would juice help them?
I know at our division 2 program our best player refused to clean jerk or dead lift , he only worked on speed, drills and plyometrics, as bulk decreases shooting and cutting flow
Thoughts ?