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Ranking The Top NBA Players By Age: Age 25

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 16, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) talks to Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) talks to Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) dunks against the Atlanta Hawks in overtime at Philips Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson remains one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ defense drastically improved when David Blatt began starting him at center, and he gives the Cavs their best shot in a seven-game series with a small-ball team like the Warriors.

But don’t count me among those saying that justifies the five-year, $82 million contract extension Thompson earned last summer, especially since Tyronn Lue no longer has him in the starting unit. Thompson’s 8.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game are useful, but that’s nowhere near max-level production — and yes, I know how high the NBA salary cap is spiking soon.

Thompson is a competent defender, he provides extra possessions for the Cavs’ elite offense by crashing the boards, and he’s efficient with his limited shot selection, converting 59.4 percent of his attempts. But any Sixth Man of the Year talk is ridiculous and a few years down the road, if LeBron’s Cavs are unable to win a title, we’ll look back on deals like Tristan Thompson’s and remember why.

Next: No. 15