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It has been a busy offseason in the Association as far as player movement is concerned. We recapped what has happened in the Eastern and Western Conferences last week. Now, see how well you have paid attention this summer!

1.) One Western Conference team didn’t make a single trade or free agent signing this offseason. Which one was it? 

2.) Only two of the top six players in this past Draft played college ball. One is the No. 2 overall pick, Brandon Miller (Alabama). Who is the other?

3.) Three Cavaliers from last year’s roster changed addresses over the summer. Which respective teams did Dylan Windler, Robin Lopez and Danny Green join as free agents this past offseason? 

4.) The Toronto Raptors moved on from Nick Nurse in the offseason and hired this well-respected former assistant to his first head coaching job. What’s his name?

5.) The MVP of this summer’s 2023 FIBA World Cup – Germany’s Dennis Schroder – bolted Los Angeles as a free agent this summer. Which team did he sign with? 

6.) These three former Cavaliers changed teams over the summer. Which respective teams will JeVale McGee, Taurean Prince and Jeff Green join this season?

B.) L.A. Clippers, New York and Phoenix 

C.) Philadelphia, San Antonio and Portland

7.) After being shipped to Washington in the blockbuster Bradley Beal trade earlier this summer, Chris Paul was on the move again shortly thereafter. With which team will the future Hall of Famer suit up for in his 19th NBA season?

8.) FIVE different college programs had two players selected in the First Round of this past June’s Draft. The first four schools are Arkansas, Michigan, Alabama and Duke. Which is the fifth?  

9.) Recently, the Cavaliers signed beloved big man Tristan Thompson to a free agent deal that returns him to Cleveland. Which of the following facts about Thompson is NOT true? 

A.) Averaged a double-double in each of his last two seasons in Cleveland

B.) Still holds the franchise durability mark – suiting up for 447 straight games

C.) Ranks 4th all-time in Cavaliers history for games played

D.) Is one of four players in Cavs franchise history to accumulate at least 5,000 career points and 5,000 career rebounds

10.) After winning just 59 games during Houston’s difficult rebuilding process, former Cavaliers assistant Stephen Silas was replaced this summer by someone with NBA Finals experience. Who is the Rockets new head coach?

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Offseason Movement Quiz

With Training Camps set to tip off in just over two weeks, most of the smoke has settled on offseason player movement.&nbsp;

(But obviously not&nbsp;all&nbsp;the smoke, as the Cavs proved on Tuesday afternoon when they signed beloved big man, Tristan Thompson.)

On Wednesday, Cavs.com took a look at who went where, and which teams made the biggest splash in the Eastern Conference over the summer. Today, we’re crossing time zones to the Western Conference, whose teams have won seven of the last 10 NBA Championships – including last year’s top dog - the Denver Nuggets. 

Teams like the Lakers and Suns made major overhauls on the free agent and trade market while others, like Portland, didn’t make a single move outside of the Draft. And speaking of the Draft, the West will witness the eagerly-anticipated rookie season of Victor Wembanyama – selected by San Antonio with the top pick.&nbsp;

So, as we prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign, here’s a snapshot of the movers and shakers who’ll shape the Western Conference this season and beyond.

A few teams made some small, but impactful additions through the free agent market. And other organizations – like the Clippers, Blazers and Spurs – didn’t make any free agent signings at all. Then there’s the Lakers, who went on a rotation player summer shopping spree.

Last season, the Lakers finished 5th in the Pacific Division and went on to reach the Western Conference Finals before being blanked in four games by the Nuggets. So, they made wholesale changes across the second unit – adding big man Jaxson Hayes, well-traveled former Cavaliers swingman Taurean Prince, former Lottery pick Cam Reddish, one of the stars from Miami’s surprising Finals run, Gabe Vincent, and veteran forward Christian Wood, who’s averaged 18.5ppg under the radar over the last three years. 

The other Western Conference franchise that made a seismic shift over the summer was the Rockets – who made a major coaching change and landed one of the offseason’s biggest prizes in former NBA Champion, guard Fred VanVleet (along with Dillion Brooks and recent NBA Champion and former Cavalier, Jeff Green). Houston also added young veterans to the rotation in forward Jock Landale and point guard Aaron Holiday.     

The Suns made their big splash with the&nbsp;Bradley Beal&nbsp;trade and, like Houston, made a coaching change over the summer. But James Jones was also very busy rebuilding the roster around their new superstar. This offseason, Phoenix inked&nbsp;Bol Bol, who’s coming off his best season last year in Orlando, former Buckeye forward&nbsp;Keita Bates-Diop, also coming off his best season last year with the Spurs. The Suns also drew&nbsp;Drew Eubanks&nbsp;away from San Antonio and versatile forward&nbsp;Yuta Wantanabe&nbsp;from Brooklyn along with 15-year veteran,&nbsp;Eric Gordon.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Seth Curry proved that you can go home again, and again – making his third tour of duty with Dallas, signing a deal to return after three seasons in the East. The Mavs – whose main goal was retaining Kyrie Irving – also inked Derrick Jones Jr. and former Cavalier Dante Exum.   

Former MVP Derrick Rose signed with the Grizzlies, Cody Zeller bolted South Beach for the Big Easy, Shake Milton shook Philly for Minnesota, and JaVale McGee landed in Sacramento with the up-and-coming Kings.

The three-team Bradley Beal deal – (discussed in Wednesday’s East Player Movement feature) – which sent the 11-year veteran to Phoenix, might reshape the Conference – pairing the three-time All-Star and former scoring champ with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker along with former top overall pick, DeAndre Ayton. The deal also spelled the end of the Chris Paul Era in the desert. 

CP3 wasn’t without a home long after being dealt to Washington in the deal, with Golden State sending&nbsp;Jordan Poole,&nbsp;Patrick Baldwin Jr.&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ryan Rollins&nbsp;to the nation’s capital in exchange for the 12-time All-Star.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The busy Wizards also dealt&nbsp;Kristaps Porzingis&nbsp;away this summer, ending another long-time era in the process as&nbsp;Marcus Smart&nbsp;makes his way to the Grizzlies in the three-way deal. Memphis also made another major deal over the summer, shipping veteran provocateur&nbsp;Dillon Brooks&nbsp;to Houston in a complicated five-way trade.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Another Celtic on the move was&nbsp;Grant Williams, who was sent to Dallas in a three-way deal with the Spurs that landed&nbsp;Reggie Bullock&nbsp;in San Antonio, where he’ll join beloved former Cavalier&nbsp;Cedi Osman, dealt by Cleveland after six years with the squad.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Pacers and Kings did inter-Conference business once again, with Indiana sending young shooting guard&nbsp;Chris Duarte&nbsp;to Sacramento in exchange for a package of second round picks.&nbsp;

Utah continued to reshape its roster, dealing for forward&nbsp;John Collins&nbsp;– sending&nbsp;Rudy Gay&nbsp;and a Second Rounder to Atlanta.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The major prize in this year’s Draft clearly went to the Spurs, who landed a prospect with potential experts have already likened to LeBron James. So at least Victor Wembanyama can come into his rookie season with no pressure.

The Spurs landed the 19-year old 7-3 prodigy – their third huge Lottery big man score in the storied franchise’s history – but they were the only team to come out of Draft night feeling good.&nbsp;

Four teams had multiple First Rounders this June – including the rapidly-rebuilding Jazz, who grabbed big man Taylor Hendricks at No. 9 overall, the highest player picked in UCF history. At No. 16, Utah grabbed Baylor combo guard Keyonte George and, at No. 28, selected Ohio State freshman wing, Brice Sensabaugh.  

The Blazers stood pat in the trade and free agent markets, but they made a pair of first round picks – including hyper-athletic guard Scoot Henderson, who starred with the G-League Ignite, at No. 3 overall pick along with Chris Murray – Keegan’s twin brother – out of Iowa at No. 23.   

The Rockets continued to build through high draft picks – snagging a twin of their own, Overtime Elite guard and former five-star recruit Amen Thompson at No. 4, one pick before Detroit selected his brother, Ausar. At No. 20, the Rockets selected rugged Villanova forward Cam Whitmore.  

The Mavericks didn’t reach the Playoffs last year, but they did make two first round picks this June – grabbing Duke big man Dereck Lively II at No. 12 and high-energy forward, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, out of Marquette with the 24th pick. 

The Thunder, who could have as many as eight first round picks in the next two Drafts, only grabbed one this year – selecting Kentucky’s crafty combo guard Cason Wallace at No. 10 overall. 

The Nuggets, Grizzlies, T-Wolves, Suns and Kings didn’t have any first round picks in this June’s Draft.&nbsp;

After winning just 49 games in three seasons as the Rockets went through a painful youth movement and rebuilding process following the departure of James Harden, the Houston Rockets moved on from Stephen Silas – turning the team over to former Celtics coach Ime Udoka who, in his single season with Boston, won 51 games and led Boston to the NBA Finals. 

Udoka inherits a thoroughly talented but still very young roster, and he’ll have to deal with the&nbsp;Kevin Porter Jr.&nbsp;situation. But the addition of&nbsp;Fred VanVleet&nbsp;should help accelerate the group’s maturation process.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

After helping his squad reach the NBA Finals in 2020-21, former Coach of the Year&nbsp;Monty Williams&nbsp;was shown the door in Phoenix. The well-respected Williams wasn’t on the market long, however, signing on to replace&nbsp;Dwane Casey&nbsp;in Detroit.&nbsp;

Frank Vogel, who won the Whole Enchilada with the Lakers in 2019 takes over for Williams in Phoenix. He’ll have to hit the ground running, with the Suns having made deals for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal within the last calendar year.&nbsp;

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Player Movement: Western Conference

It was just over one year ago that the Cavaliers altered the Eastern Conference landscape with a blockbuster trade to acquire Donovan Mitchell from Utah – the second monster deal the Jazz pulled off over the previous summer.&nbsp;

For Cleveland, the Mitchell trade transformed the franchise – accelerating the team’s youth movement and helping propel the Cavs back to the Playoffs for the first time since LeBron James’ departure in 2018. The All-Star guard hit the ground running, establishing himself as the team’s unquestioned leader and enjoying the best statistical season of his career. 

The biggest offseason free agent signing in the East last summer didn’t seem all that consequential – Jalen Brunson inking a deal with the Knicks – but as the Cavaliers can attest, the move eventually made a major splash.&nbsp;

But all that stuff about last year’s offseason movement isn’t going to help you when the TNT crew breaks out their first “Who He Play For?” of the 2023-24 season and – while playing along from your couch – you have no idea which team 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP Dennis Schroder now plays for.

With Training Camps tipping off within weeks – and most players already working out with their squads – most of the dust has settled on the offseason movement from this summer, with the sticky James Harden situation as the only major drama remaining. 

Where better to start than in the Cavaliers own Division, which the Milwaukee Bucks have won in each of the five years since&nbsp;LeBron James&nbsp;departure to L.A. in 2018.&nbsp;

Despite winning 58 games and the Central Division, Milwaukee got bounced by Miami in five games – and decided to get a little younger through free agency, inking guards&nbsp;Malik Beasley&nbsp;and&nbsp;TyTy Washington Jr., while also reuniting the Lopez brothers, signing&nbsp;Robin Lopez&nbsp;to a deal after his single season with Cleveland.&nbsp;

Chicago’s&nbsp;Lonzo Ball&nbsp;hasn’t played since mid-January 2022, missed all of last year and could be out again this season. With that in mind, the Bulls added some backcourt depth through free agency – signing guard&nbsp;Jevon Carter, who had his best season last year in Milwaukee – and gained some frontcourt toughness, inking&nbsp;Torrey Craig, who spent last year in Phoenix.&nbsp;

The Pacers were very targeted in their offseason pickups – making just a single free agent pickup. But it’s a player whose riding high – guard&nbsp;Bruce Brown, who posted career-highs in his 5th&nbsp;season last year in Denver, playing a big role in the Nuggets Championship run as a reserve.

Former Cavalier&nbsp;Dylan Windler&nbsp;– tabbed with the 26th&nbsp;overall pick in 2019 – signed with the Knicks this offseason. Like Matthew McConaughey’s character in&nbsp;Dazed and Confused, New York must love those redheads, also inking swingman&nbsp;Donte DiVincenzo&nbsp;– who spent last year with the Warriors – to a four-year deal.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The East’s top teams reloaded through free agency, as well, with the Conference Champion Heat upgrading in the middle with veteran big man&nbsp;Thomas Bryant&nbsp;and welcoming back&nbsp;Josh Richardson, who spent his first four years in Miami. Boston inked a pair of reserves in forward&nbsp;Oshae Brissett&nbsp;and guard&nbsp;Svi Mykhailiuk. And the Sixers added some attitude – signing the pugnacious&nbsp;Patrick Beverly, who’ll play for his fifth team in the last four years, along with&nbsp;Mo Bamba, who finished last season with the Lakers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lonnie Walker IV, who also spent last year in Tinseltown, moved East over the summer – joining the Brooklyn Nets – as did the hero of this year’s FIBA World Cup tournament,&nbsp;Dennis Schroder, who eschewed the Lakers generous offer and instead opted to sign with Toronto, citing the relationship between himself and their new head coach, Darko Rajakovic.

Last summer, the Cavaliers swung for the fences on a deal that altered both Conferences. This summer, it was the Wizards turn.&nbsp;

After spending his first 11 years with Washington after being taken with the 3rd&nbsp;overall pick in 2012,&nbsp;Bradely Beal&nbsp;was part of a three-team blockbuster between the Wizards, Suns and Pacers – with Phoenix sending&nbsp;Chris Paul,&nbsp;Landry Shamet, four future first-round pick swaps and six future second-round picks. The Pacers sent&nbsp;Bilal Coulibaly&nbsp;(the 7th&nbsp;pick in this year’s Draft) to the Wizards in exchange for&nbsp;Jarace Walker&nbsp;(No. 8) and two future Second Rounders.

The Wizards weren’t done there, either – sending&nbsp;Kristaps Porzingis&nbsp;to Boston in a three-team deal with Grizzlies that saw&nbsp;Marcus Smart&nbsp;shipped to Memphis. The Wizards picked up&nbsp;Tyus Jones&nbsp;and&nbsp;Danillo Gallinari&nbsp;in the trade.&nbsp;

The Knicks tabbed&nbsp;Obi Toppin&nbsp;with the 8th&nbsp;overall pick out of Dayton back in 2020, but they sent the high-flying forward to Indiana for a pair of second-round picks.&nbsp;

Detroit was hoping to accelerate their rebuild in last year’s Lottery after winning just 17 games, but San Antonio won the Wemby sweepstakes, and the Pistons landed with the 5thoverall pick. Instead, the Pistons jumped into the trade market over the summer – dealing for backup guard&nbsp;Monte Morris&nbsp;along with our old friend&nbsp;Joe Harris, who is, percentage-wise, the top active three-point shooter in the NBA with a career .437 mark – sending a package of picks to Washington and Brooklyn, respectively.&nbsp;

As the NBA Draft continues to be reshaped, with only two of the top seven picks playing college ball, the big prize went West – with the Spurs winning the rights to select&nbsp;Victor Wembanyama.&nbsp;

Both of those picks –&nbsp;Brandon Miller&nbsp;(No. 2, Alabama) and&nbsp;Anthony Black&nbsp;(No. 6, Arkansas) went to Eastern Conference teams – Miller to the Hornets and Black to the Magic.&nbsp;

The Magic were also one of five teams in the East with a pair of picks in 2023.&nbsp;

Along with Miller, Charlotte tabbed Arkansas’ rangy point guard&nbsp;Nick Smith&nbsp;(No. 27) to back up&nbsp;LaMelo Ball. Orlando grabbed combo guard&nbsp;Jett Howard&nbsp;– the son of Juwan Howard – out of Michigan with the 11th&nbsp;overall pick. The elder Howard actually played a single season with the Magic back in 2003-04.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Nets selected Brandon Miller’s fellow forward at ‘Bama,&nbsp;Noah Clowney, with the 21st&nbsp;pick and grabbed former five-star recruit, small forward&nbsp;Dariq Whitehead&nbsp;one pick later out of Duke.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the Central Division, the Pistons drafted swingman&nbsp;Ausar Thompson&nbsp;at No. 5 overall – one pick after his brother,&nbsp;Amen, was taken by the Rockets. With the 25th&nbsp;pick, they selected point guard&nbsp;Marcus Sasser&nbsp;out of Houston. The Pacers also grabbed a former Cougar in the First Round – rugged forward&nbsp;Jarace Walker&nbsp;at No. 8 – the highest-drafted player out of Houston since Hakeem Olajuwan – along with guard&nbsp;Ben Sheppard, a four-year man at Belmont and one of just three seniors taken in the first round.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Washington selected French forward&nbsp;Bilal Coulibaly&nbsp;at No. 7 overall, the Raptors took sharpshooter&nbsp;Gradey Dick&nbsp;out of Kansas at No. 13 and the Heat tabbed seasoned forward&nbsp;Jaime Jaquez Jr.&nbsp;with the 18th&nbsp;pick out of UCLA.&nbsp;

The Celtics, Bulls, Cavs and Bucks had no First Rounders this past June, and the Knicks and Sixers didn’t make any picks at all.&nbsp;

Four Eastern Conference teams made coaching changes over the offseason, as well.&nbsp;

In Detroit,&nbsp;Dwane Casey&nbsp;stepped down to take a front office role with the Pistons – replaced by&nbsp;Monty Williams, who was the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2021-22, one year after taking the Suns to the NBA Finals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The man who topped Williams in those 2021 Finals, two-time Coach of the Year&nbsp;Mike Budenholzer&nbsp;was let go after five years on the job in Milwaukee following the Bucks’ five-game First Round loss to Miami. He’ll be replaced by former Raptors assistant,&nbsp;Adrian Griffin, making his NBA head coaching debut this year.

Speaking of former Raptors coaches and former World Champions,&nbsp;Nick Nurse&nbsp;goes from Toronto to Philadelphia after&nbsp;Doc Rivers&nbsp;was shown the door by the Sixers following their third straight Playoff exit without reaching the Conference Finals.&nbsp;

Replacing Nick Nurse north of the border is another first-time NBA coach – well-respected former Grizzlies assistant&nbsp;Darko Rajakovic.

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Player Movement: Eastern Conference

Veteran big man Tristan Thompson is back in the Wine & Gold after inking a deal on Tuesday afternoon. Over the course of his nine season's in Cleveland, Thompson has piled up some impressive numbers and is near the top in a handful of statistical categories ...

53-25&nbsp;… Tristan Thompson’s postseason record with the Cavaliers.

222&nbsp;… offensive rebounds that Tristan Thompson needs to pass Zydrunas Ilgauskas (2,336) as the top offensive rebounder in franchise history.

798&nbsp;… total rebounds that Tristan Thompson needs to pass LeBron James (6,190) as the No. 1 rebounder in Cavaliers history.

3&nbsp;… players in Cavs history to have accumulated at least 5,000 rebounds and 400 blocked shots – LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Tristan Thompson.

306&nbsp;… offensive rebounds that Tristan Thompson grabbed in 2012-13 – a single-season franchise record.&nbsp;

447&nbsp;… consecutive games played over a five-year span, breaking the previous team mark of 361 – held by Jim Chones.

199&nbsp;… total rebounds Tristan Thompson grabbed in four Finals matchups against Golden State.

287&nbsp;… offensive rebounds that Tristan Thompson has grabbed in his postseason career with Cleveland – tops in Cavs Playoff history.&nbsp;

666&nbsp;… total rebounds Tristan Thompson has grabbed over the course of his Playoff career.

17&nbsp;… games Tristan Thompson needs to pass Austin Carr to move into 6th&nbsp;place (635) for all-time games played as a Cavalier – with Hot Rod next at 661.

2,404&nbsp;… offensive rebounds that Tristan Thompson has grabbed over the course of his career – ranking him 4th&nbsp;among all active players.&nbsp;

4&nbsp;… Cavaliers in team history to accumulate at least 5,000 points and 5,000 rebounds – LeBron, Big Z, Brad Daugherty and Tristan Thompson.&nbsp;

94&nbsp;… postseason games that Tristan Thompson has played in, making him the most Playoff-tested player on the Cavs roster.

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Betway By the Numbers: Tristan Thompson

Since his departure from Cleveland, Tristan Thompson has worn the jerseys of five other franchises – the Celtics, Kings, Pacers, Bulls and Lakers. And he just hasn’t looked right in any of them.

But when Training Camp tips off in less than a month, the beloved blue-collar big from Canada will be donning the Wine & Gold once again after inking a free agent deal with the Cavaliers on Tuesday afternoon.

“Tristan embodies every trait we want as part of our team culture, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring his experience and character back into our franchise,” said Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman. “His impact both on and off the court is immeasurable, and his history with our team adds a layer of familiarity, leadership and physicality that will undoubtedly make a positive impact with our younger players.

“An integral part of our four consecutive NBA Finals trips and an NBA Championship in 2016, Tristan represented the organization with the utmost charm and professionalism during his nine seasons in Northeast Ohio. We are thrilled to reunite with Tristan and welcome him and his family back to the Cavaliers family.”

In the recent history of the Wine & Gold, the affable undersized big man has seen the highs, the lows, and everything in-between.

Thompson’s Cavaliers won 21 total games during his truncated rookie season and combined for just 38 victories in his final two with Cleveland.&nbsp;

In between those difficult years was the greatest stretch of prosperity in franchise history – making four straight trips to the NBA Finals, winning the whole enchilada in 2016, in part behind the outstanding and inspiring play of Numeral 13. 

After winning Game 5 in Golden State behind heroic performances from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, Thompson set the tone when the series came back to Cleveland for Game 6 – playing like a man-possessed from the opening tip, grabbing nine rebounds in the opening period, leading both teams with 16 on the night while connecting on all six shots from the floor.&nbsp;

The native of Brampton, ON started 429 games for the Cavs and came off the bench for 190 more. During his tenure, Tristan saw seven different head coaches, 17 assistants and played alongside 113 different teammates. His 619 games with Cleveland rank him sixth on the organization’s all-time list – needing just 16 games to pass a man whose nickname is “Mr. Cavalier” - Austin Carr.  

Thompson is just one of four players in team history – joining LeBron, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Brad Daugherty – as the only players to accumulate at least 5,000 points and 5,000 rebounds.&nbsp;

And in an age where durability’s a dirty word, Thompson once battled illness and injury to suit up for 447 straight games, playing in all 82 during his sophomore season and for the next three after that – a team record that’ll likely never be broken.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Drafted three spots after Kyrie Irving with the 4th&nbsp;pick in the 2011 Draft after a single season at Texas, Thompson grew up before our eyes – wearing a plain blue cardigan to his first press conference as a rookie and a fur coat and shades for the Christmas Day game against Golden State in 2017.&nbsp;

Over that time, Tristan gradually entrenched himself into the organization’s DNA and eventually became what then-head coach Tyronn Lue labeled “the heart and soul” of the team.

Thompson remained after LeBron’s departure in 2018 and responded by posting the two best statistical seasons of his career – averaging a double-double in each of his last two years in Cleveland. In that last year, Thompson was asked to come off the bench midway through the year. Instead of sulking, the 6-9, 256-pounder responded by going off for 27 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes in his second game as a reserve – drilling all three three-pointers he attempted in the process.&nbsp;

Thompson signed a free agent deal with Boston early in the 2020-21 season and after one year with the Celtics, was traded to Sacramento in a three-team deal in the 2021 offseason. He was moved again – from Sacramento to Indiana in the Tyrese Haliburton-Domantas Sabonis deal at the 2022 Deadline. After being waived soon after by Indiana, Tristan spent the rest of that season with Chicago.&nbsp;

Between those three teams – the Kings, Pacers and Bulls – in his last regular season in 2021-22, he played 57 total games. Last year, he saw action in six postseason contests with the Lakers after signing a deal on the final day of the regular season.&nbsp;

In his return to Cleveland, the 32-year-old certainly won’t be asked to do the heavy lifting that he did in his final two seasons here. The current Cavaliers have two of the best two-way big men in the Conference – and they’re just getting started. Jarrett Allen is 25 years old. Evan Mobley recently turned 22. 

But that outstanding frontline duo also lacks big game experience and, as last year’s five-game exit from the Playoffs proved, could use some help on the offensive glass. And there aren’t many big men around today – (three of them, to be exact) – who know their way around that facet of the game better than Thompson, who ranks 4th&nbsp;among all active players, grabbing 2,404 offensive rebounds over the course of his career.&nbsp;

From a purely personal standpoint, Thompson is one of the league’s true good guys – a favorite with fans, teammates and the media. A tough guy on the hardwood, Tristan’s a teddy bear outside the lines.

Fans didn’t need many more reasons to get amped up for the upcoming season, but the Cavaliers brass gave them one on Tuesday afternoon, welcoming back a great player – and a great person – back to where it all began.&nbsp;

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Tristan Returns to Where it All Began

The Cavs have a pair of rookies on the roster heading into the new season: Emoni Bates and Craig Porter Jr. Bates was selected with the 49th overall pick in June's draft, while Porter was signed to a two-way contract out of Wichita State.

1.) Which city in Michigan was Emoni Bates born in?&nbsp;

2.) Craig Porter Jr. was known as a prolific shot-blocker at Wichita State. Which is the following is not true of his swatting prowess?&nbsp;

A.) Is on Wichita State’s all-time top ten list in total blocks

B.) First player ever to finish in the Conference’s top ten – and the only player in the NCAA’s top 100 – in both assists-per-game and blocks-per-game

C.) Blocked a shot in 11 straight games, longest streak by a Shocker guard since the school began recording game-by-game stats

D.) Blocked shot average (1.48bpg) was the highest nationally for any player 6-2 or shorter&nbsp;

3.) Which of the following is NOT true of Emoni Bates recent Summer League run in Vegas?

A.) Scored in double-figures in all six games

B.) Led the Cavaliers in rebounding&nbsp;

4.) This past season against Tulane, Craig Porter Jr. notched 15 points, 10 boards and 10 assists to become just the second player in the last 50 years of Wichita State basketball to record a triple double. Who is the other?

5.) Which of the following is NOT true of Emoni Bates sophomore season at Eastern Michigan?&nbsp;

A.) Led the Eagles in scoring and rebounding

B.) Topped the 20-point scoring plateau a dozen times

C.) Went for at least 20 points a dozen times, including four games of 30-plus&nbsp;

6.) Which of the following is NOT true of Craig Porter Jr.’s recent Summer League run in Las Vegas?&nbsp;

A.) Led both teams in scoring in his first start

B.) Led both teams in assists in the Championship game

C.) Finished second in blocked shots behind Isaiah Mobley&nbsp;

D.) Had at least six assists and seven rebounds in each of his last four outings

7.) Last season at Eastern Michigan, Emoni Bates scored a career-high 43 points – including 29 straight in the first half – in a loss to which MAC opponent from the state of Ohio?&nbsp;

8.) Before committing to Wichita State University, Craig Porter Jr. played two seasons at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana – leading them to the 2019 NJCAA National Championship. Which of the following former Cavaliers did NOT attend Vincennes U.?

9.) Before transferring to Eastern Michigan for his sophomore season, Emoni Bates began his college career at which university?&nbsp;

10.) Which of the following facts is NOT true of Craig Porter Jr.’s career at Wichita State?&nbsp;

A.) Was the first player in school history to lead the team in rebounding, assists, blocks, and steals in the same season

B.) Has the most career blocked shots by any guard in school history

C.) Became just the second Shocker in the last half-century to record a triple-double

D.) Posted three of the four highest single-game scoring outings in team history during his career

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Get to Know: The Rookies

The Wine & Gold bolstered their frontline this summer with the acquisition of Damian Jones from the Utah Jazz. Jones is a two-time NBA champ and has played for six teams throughout his career.

1.) Damian Jones attended the same university as which current Cavalier?

2.) Damian Jones had his best season as a pro working with this current Cavaliers assistant coach in the past? 

3.) TRUE or FALSE: Damian Jones saw limited game action when he was with two of the Warriors teams that topped Cleveland for the NBA Championship in 2017 and 2018.

4.) Of the 12 top scoring games of his career – including his career-high, 24 points vs. Houston – Damian Jones posted 11 of them while playing with which team?

5.) Over the last 19 games that Damian Jones played to close out the 2022-23 season with Utah, his shooting percentage from the floor and from three-point range are exactly the same. What is that percentage? 

6.) Damian Jones graduated from Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Which of the following former reality TV stars is a fellow alum?  

7.) Which team originally drafted Damian Jones with the final pick of the final pick of the First Round in 2016? 

8.) At one point in his career, Damian Jones was part of a trade for this native of Northeast Ohio? 

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Get to Know: Damian Jones

He was a Cavalier in college, winning a national championship while at the University of Virginia, now he is a Cavalier in the NBA, entering his fifth season as a pro. How well do you know the guard?

1.) Which team originally drafted Ty Jerome in 2019?

2.) During his freshman season at Virginia, Ty Jerome was the backup to this player, who had a brief stint with the Cavaliers? 

3.) Against which opponent did Ty Jerome score his season-high point total (22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep) last season? 

4.) Ty Jerome attended Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York. Which person listed below is NOT a fellow Iona Prep alumni?

A.) Former Browns linebacker, Dick Ambrose

B.) Bret Easton Ellis, author of “Less Than Zero” and “American Psycho”

C.) Frank Abagnale, whose life was portrayed in the film “Catch Me If You Can”

D.) Don McLean, who wrote and performed the song “American Pie” 

5.) Four of the five starters from Virginia’s 2019 Championship team – Ty Jerome, Mamadi Diakite, De’Andre Hunter and Kyle Guy – went on to play in the NBA. Can you name the fifth starter from that team (who did not play in the NBA)? 

6.) Ty Jerome was traded twice – once on Draft night, then again less than a month later – by the Boston Celtics to the Phoenix Suns. Jerome’s college coach – Tony Bennett – recruited both him and the player he was traded to Phoenix with. Who is he? 

7.) Ty Jerome wore uniform No. 11 in college at Virginia, wore No. 10 with the Suns and Warriors and No. 16 with the Thunder. What uniform number will he wear with the Wine and Gold?

8.) Ty Jerome was part of the Suns’ blockbuster deal to acquire Chris Paul in 2020. Phoenix sent Abdel Nader and CP3 to Oklahoma City in exchange for Jerome, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jalen Lecque, a 2022 First Round pick and which other player?

9.) With at least 40 games played last year, which category did Ty Jerome lead Golden State in last season – also a personal career-high? 

10.) Ty Jerome and Mamadi Diakite each won the 2019 NCAA National Championship with Virginia. Who is the only other current Cavalier to have even reached the title game? 

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Get to Know: Ty Jerome

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