Thompson expects Cavaliers to retire Kyrie's jersey: He's 'part of history'

It's been more than two years since Kyrie Irving played his last game in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform, but the immense impact he had on the organization isn't lost on his former teammates.

Tristan Thompson, who shared the court with Irving throughout the latter's tenure in Cleveland, expects the former Cavaliers star will receive one of the highest honors bestowed upon a player.

"His jersey will be retired here," Thompson told Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor on Monday ahead of Cleveland's game against Irving's Brooklyn Nets. "Part of history. He will always have a place in this Cavaliers franchise."

Irving played a monumental role in snapping Cleveland's 52-year championship drought, draining one of the most iconic shots in NBA Finals history in the final minute of Game 7 to complete an epic comeback against the mighty 73-win Golden State Warriors.

"See that banner right there? That's what he means to the franchise," Thompson opined.

"Being No. 1 pick, came in with a lot of expectations and he surpassed them all. Being an All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, World Championship gold medalist, Olympic gold medalist, made a crucial step-back from the right wing in Game 7, Rookie of the Year - it's a lot."

Irving averaged 21.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.4 rebounds across six seasons with the Cavaliers. He made three consecutive Finals appearances with the franchise from 2015-17 before demanding a trade out of Cleveland.