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Canada Basketball: Top five Canadians in the NBA

By Go Paolo

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: The jersey of Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves as seen during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: The jersey of Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves as seen during the game against the Toronto Raptors on January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Canada Basketball
Canada Basketball – Tristan Thompson (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Tristan Thompson (F/C)

We factored in team success in creating this list, but any player short of a LeBron James can fix the mess that is the Cleveland Cavaliers. You can’t blame Tristan Thompson and he should be one of the Cavs’ top trade candidates.

Drafted fourth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft (one spot ahead of the Raptors), Thompson didn’t blossom into an NBA star. But he became the next best thing: a dependable starter who puts up humongous numbers on occasion.

Despite injuries, Thompson is quietly having his best season this year, statistically. The Torontonian is averaging 11.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, all career-highs. Best of all, he’s doing all that without turning the ball over (1.5). And he’s still just approaching his prime at age 27.

Thompson’s work on the boards (fourth in the league in offensive rebounds (4.5)) and defensive prowess (one of only two Cavs (Larry Nance Jr.) to have a positive defensive box plus-minus) will make him an invaluable player wherever he goes.

As the trade deadline looms, the only thing holding Thompson back is his lucrative contract (owed $34.9 million until 2020). But teams desperate for rebounding, defence, and hustle play could do a lot worse than the former Longhorn.

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