Thompson roared out of the blocks during his rookie season, despite some obvious flaws on the offensive end of the floor. He quickly established himself as an elite rebounder from the wing position, tallying double-digit boards in eight of his first 14 games. During that time, he also recorded a total of 17 steals and 24 blocks, providing elite defensive production in anyone's book. However, Thompson was benched after Christmas, playing fewer than 20 minutes in eight of the next 10 games. He then shifted back into the starting lineup before having his season cut short due to blood clots. When all was said and done, Thompson finished as the 180th-ranked player in standard leagues, averaging 8.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game. The Pistons have made more than a few lineup changes during the offseason, bringing in Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway and Paul Reed while re-signing Simone Fontecchio and drafting Ron Holland. While depth is certainly a good thing in terms of reality, it creates a logjam of which Thompson is likely to be a part. Poor shooting could once again cap Thompson's upside, making him more of a defensive specialist with rebounding potential. Thompson is worth a flier at the backend of drafts, but managers will want to keep a close eye on his playing time.
