Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tristan Thompson’s Net Worth?
Tristan Thompson, a Canadian professional basketball player, has amassed a substantial net worth of $45 million. This fortune is largely attributed to his successful NBA career, spanning over a decade and encompassing lucrative contracts and endorsement deals.
Tristan Thompson’s NBA Career Earnings and Contract Details
Over his first ten years in the NBA, Tristan Thompson earned approximately $110 million in salary alone. This figure underscores the significant financial rewards associated with a long and productive career in professional basketball.
In 2015, Thompson solidified his financial standing by signing a five-year, $82 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This contract, averaging $16.4 million per year, represented a major milestone in his career and a testament to his value to the team.
Further boosting his earnings, Thompson secured a two-year, $18.9 million contract with the Boston Celtics in 2020. This deal, paying him an average of $9.45 million per year, demonstrated his continued demand in the league despite changing teams.
Notably, his one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers was worth $16,700. Over his 12-year career to date, Tristan Thompson has earned more than $116.1 million in salary alone.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 13, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Tristan Thompson’s early life laid the foundation for his future success. He is the oldest of four sons born to Trevor and Andrea Thompson, who have Jamaican roots.
Thompson began his high school basketball journey at Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School for his freshman and sophomore years. However, his relationship with the coach, Dan Hurley, deteriorated during his junior year, leading to his departure from the team after a heated argument during a game against Mater Dei. He then transferred to Findlay Prep.
At Findlay Prep, Thompson flourished under coach Michael Peck, becoming a McDonald’s All-American and a Jordan Brand Classic All-American alongside teammate Cory Joseph. These accolades highlighted his exceptional talent and potential for a successful basketball career.
Thompson’s academic and athletic pursuits continued at The University of Texas, where he played for one season. During this time, he received the Wayman Tisdale Award for USBWA National Freshman of the Year and earned spots on the All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, and Big 12 All-Rookie Team. Despite initially planning to return for his sophomore year, he ultimately declared for the NBA draft on April 21, 2011.
Professional Career Milestones
Thompson’s professional career began when he was drafted #4 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA Draft. At the time, he was the highest-drafted Canadian-born player in NBA history, a record later surpassed by Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins.
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Thompson continued his education at the University of Texas, demonstrating his commitment to academic pursuits alongside his athletic career. He signed his rookie contract with the Cavaliers on December 9, 2011, just before the start of training camp.
Thompson made his NBA debut against his hometown team, the Toronto Raptors, in December 2011, scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench. He finished the season with averages of 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in 60 games, earning NBA All-Rookie second-team honors and becoming the first Canadian to achieve this recognition.
In the 2013 off-season, Thompson made a significant change by switching his shooting hand to the right instead of the left. Despite this adjustment, he started all 82 games and tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference with a team-leading and career-best 36 double-doubles.
The 2014 season saw the Cavaliers acquire LeBron James, bolstering their roster and championship aspirations. Thompson came off the bench for most of the season, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier offensive rebounders. The Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals for the first time that season, marking a significant milestone in Thompson’s career.
In 2015, Thompson re-signed with the Cavaliers for a five-year, $82 million contract. That same year, the Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals for the second time. They made NBA history by overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors to win the series in seven games, ending a 52-year championship drought for the team. Thompson played a crucial role in this championship run, solidifying his legacy with the Cavaliers.
In December 2016, Thompson achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first player in franchise history to play in 400 consecutive regular-season games before missing four games with a sprained right thumb. The Cavaliers reached the NBA Finals for a third straight season, once again facing the Golden State Warriors, but lost the series in five games.
During the 2017-2018 season, Thompson was sidelined for four weeks due to a left calf strain. The Cavaliers made it to the 2018 NBA Finals once again, where they were swept by the Golden State Warriors.
In 2019, Thompson missed 26 games due to a sore left foot. In January 2020, during a game against the Detroit Pistons, Thompson recorded a double-double with a career-high 35 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal in a 115-112 overtime win, showcasing his offensive capabilities.
On November 30, 2020, Thompson signed with the Boston Celtics. In August 2021, Thompson was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks. In February 2022, he was traded along with Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield to the Indiana Pacers for Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, Domantas Sabonis, and a 2023 second-round pick. After just four games, the Pacers and Thompson reached a mutual contract buyout agreement. Tristan signed with the Chicago Bulls on February 19th. In April 2023, Thompson reunited on the court with LeBron James when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Personal Life and Legal Matters
Tristan Thompson became an American citizen in 2020, marking a significant personal milestone. He has also faced several personal challenges and legal matters related to his relationships and children.
Thompson and his ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig had a son named Prince Oliver Thompson in December 2016. He was ordered to pay $40,000 per month in child support and a $200,000 lump sum in back payments. Additionally, he was required to deposit $1,250 per month into a savings account for Prince, totaling $15,000 per year. This agreement stemmed from a case filed by Craig in September 2018, alleging that Thompson had only seen their son nine times from 2016 to 2018. Thompson also covers $2,000 per month for Prince’s private tutor. In the settlement, Tristan also agreed to pay Jordan $10,000 to cover medical bills that stemmed from her pregnancy and delivery.
Thompson’s romantic involvement with Khloe Kardashian has been highly publicized. In April 2018, Kardashian gave birth to their daughter, True Thompson. However, their relationship has been marked by multiple separations and allegations of infidelity. In February 2019, Khloe announced their separation after reportedly discovering that Tristan had cheated with Jordyn Woods, a close friend of Kylie Jenner. Despite briefly rekindling their relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic, they announced another split in June 2021.
In June 2021, a woman filed a paternity lawsuit against Thompson, claiming he was the father of her son as a result of an affair he had while with Khloe Kardashian. Thompson later confirmed his paternity and issued an apology to Khloe. In July 2022, Thompson and Kardashian announced that they were expecting their second child together via surrogacy. Their son was born on July 28, 2022.
