NBA 2017-18: 5 players who could be traded before the mid-season trade deadline

#4 Tristan Thompson

#13 Tristan Thompson

In 2015, after the Cleveland Cavaliers made the first of their three consecutive Finals trips, Tristan Thompson was a hot commodity. So much so, that the team was almost forced to sign him to a 5-year $82 million deal. However, his value has only depreciated since.

A lot of that has got to do with his failure to be in tune with the current style of basketball in the league. There's not a lot that he's done wrong though, it just seems to be the evolving style of play his team wants to embrace. It began with the Cavaliers trying to match the Warriors in lineups in the 2017 Finals. That clearly didn't go well, having lost the series 4-1.

Prior to the start of this season, Cleveland decided to start Kevin Love at center and bring Thompson off the bench. That has led to limited minutes and thus a negative efficiency for Thompson. To make matters worse, he has only just returned from a calf strain, that kept him out for a month.

He makes this list primarily because Cleveland believes there are better options out there for them - DeMarcus Cousins or DeAndre Jordan (only one of these names make the list).