NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2018-19

22. Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers

With LeBron James gone, the Cleveland Cavaliers could keep Kevin Love as their starting 5 in a small-ball lineup. However, it’d probably make more sense to move Love back to the 4 and revert to Tristan Thompson at center, to avoid exacting too much of a toll on their remaining star.

Thompson is a decent role player. His work on the offensive glass is among the best in the league, and he’s a fairly mobile big on the perimeter. However, as we’ve seen time and time again in the playoffs (particularly against the Golden State Warriors), he can’t be relied upon to take that next step with real stakes on the line.

That won’t be an issue for the Cavs in 2018-19, since they’re no longer contending for anything other than a bottom-rung playoff spot. Most likely, this 27-year-old should be able to improve upon the 5.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game that he averaged last year.