LeBron on Thompson: 'He should probably be a Cavalier his entire career'

It's no secret that LeBron James loves having Tristan Thompson as a teammate. On Monday, King James' stamp of approval may have further cemented Thompson's long-term future with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Thompson, who hails from Brampton, Ontario, played at the University of Texas for one season, and after a solid freshman year (13.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks) he was selected by the Cavs with the No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft.

At the time, no other Canadian player had been drafted higher than Thompson. He held this distinction briefly, as the Cavs took Anthony Bennett first overall in 2013.

Adding an intriguing twist to LeBron's support of his teammate is the fact that they share representation. LeBron's agent and close friend, Rich Paul, also has Thompson as a client.

Thompson turned down the Cavs' extension offer before the start of this season. Saying "no thanks" to $52 million over four years might have seemed foolish to some, but it's proving to be a worthwhile gamble, as Thompson has performed admirably throughout the playoffs, increasing his chances of earning a larger paycheck come summertime.