Tristan Thompson dubbed 'liability' as NBA suspends Cavaliers center for 25 games over PED violation

CLEVELAND, OHIO: The Cleveland Cavaliers were dealt a significant blow this week when veteran center Tristan Thompson was slapped with a 25-game suspension by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug program.

Thompson tested positive for multiple banned substances that are considered performance-enhancing drugs under league policies. The suspension, which represents one of the longest handed down by the NBA in recent years for a first-time drug offense, leaves Thompson out of action for nearly a third of the regular season, as reported by Daily Mail.

Tristan Thompson tested positive for Ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033

The 32-year-old tested positive for Ibutamoren, a growth hormone, and SARM LGD-4033, a muscle-enhancing drug commonly used by bodybuilders. Both substances are on the NBA’s list of banned 'steroids and performance enhancing drugs' (SPEDs).

As a first-time offender of the league’s anti-drug policy, Thompson will sit out 25 games without pay ‒ the standard suspension length outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for a SPED violation.

Over the course of the suspension, which takes effect on Wednesday, January 24 when the Cavaliers play against the Milwaukee Bucks, Thompson will forfeit 1/110th of his $3.1 million salary per missed game, totaling more than $700,000 in lost income.

Tristan Thompson’s latest setback raises questions about his future in Cleveland

Currently in his 12th NBA season, Thompson returned to Cleveland recently after years of bouncing around the league following his initial nine-season stint with the Cavaliers from 2011-2020, which included the franchise's 2016 championship win.

This season, however, he has been serving as a backup to starting center Jarrett Allen. With Evan Mobley still recovering from a knee injury, Thompson's suspension leaves the Cavaliers thin in the frontcourt for a considerable stretch of the season.

Journeyman center Damien Jones and two-way rookie Isaiah Mobley could see more minutes in the interim, but at 32 years old and a pending free agent, Thompson’s latest setback raises real questions about his future in Cleveland.

Internet reacts with criticism to news of Tristan Thompson’s 25-game suspension

As news of Thompson's 25-game suspension emerged, the internet erupted with swift and harsh criticism aimed at the Cleveland Cavaliers' center. One Facebook user didn't mince words, stating, "This guy is a mess when a man has no self-discipline or control; he is a liability to himself and his family!"

Another disillusioned user remarked, "All the opportunities in the world and just can’t do right." A third took a more direct approach, urging Thompson to "Get it together!!!!!" while another individual cynically observed, "Well, well, well, can't smooth talk your way outta everything, can you."

A fifth voice in the online chorus criticized Thompson's perceived shortcomings, stating, "He just can’t get it together. Wow, how immature." Meanwhile, another user injected a Kardashian reference into the conversation, commenting, "But the Kardashians will spend another season of their show trying to convince us all what a good person he is."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.