Jason Thompson

2017-18

There was no outlook written for Jason Thompson.

2015-16

The Warriors' biggest offseason transition was at power forward, where they shipped out David Lee to Boston, then used a returning piece from that trade, Gerald Wallace, to acquire Thompson from Sacramento. He played 81 games (63 starts) for the Kings in 2014-15 and averaged 6.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 25 minutes per game. The power forward has spent seven seasons in Sacramento, which is a unique kind of basketball hell. The organization has been in turmoil ever since he joined them as a first-round draft pick (12th overall) out of Rider College in 2008. Aside from the ownership drama and rumors of moving to a new city, Thompson has had eight head coaches and countless teammates during his seven seasons in the California state capitol. Through it all, the 29-year-old gave a professional effort. His escape to Golden State probably means fewer minutes off the bench, playing power forward and a little bit at center. We might see Thompson on the floor when the Warriors go small, and he'll be insurance for Andrew Bogut, whose minutes dropped to a career-low last season. Depending on what's needed, head coach Steve Kerr has two big-man options off the bench – Thompson and the more offensively inclined Marreese Speights. Those two will be vying for the same minutes.

2014-15

For the second straight season, Thompson appeared in all 82 games. He made 61 starts, averaging a career-low 7.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 25 minutes per game. At this point, the 28-year-old has seemingly maxed out his potential. He's a serviceable rebounder and decent interior scorer, but questions remain as to whether he's a starting-caliber player after posting a career-low 11.1 PER last season. He'll likely open the season as the Kings' starting power forward, but it would not be a surprise if Carl Landry, who was injured nearly all of last season, took over as the starter at some point. Thompson is probably better suited coming off the bench, where he could work in at power forward in addition to spelling DeMarcus Cousins at center.

2013-14

The longest tenured King is the starter for now, but that could easily change. Thompson started last season, but the Kings' acquisitions of Patterson (via mid-season trade) and Landry (via free agency) seem to indicate that Thompson's hold on a starting role is tenuous. 2012-13 was Thompson's best season in years – he did not miss a game and played 27 minutes per game, averaging 10.9 points and 6.7 rebounds. If Thompson can hold on to the starting job, he will have fringe-level (or better) value in leagues of all sizes.

2012-13

The fact that the Kings offered Thompson a long-term deal even after drafting the highly-touted rookie Thomas Robinson indicates that the team considers him to be a serious part of their gameplan. Last season, Thompson averaged 9.1 points and 6.9 boards while starting 47 games for Sacramento. He will be the starting power forward come opening night and should contribute just under a double-double while shooting around 50-percent. Nothing particularly flashy about Thompson’s game, but at least you know what you are getting from him on a nightly basis.

2011-12

Thompson’s promising rookie season turned out to be his ceiling, not his floor. Thompson doesn’t contribute much more than some scoring and a decent number of rebounds from a fantasy perspective. He will find it hard to see significant minutes with DeMarcus Cousins, Chuck Hayes, and J.J. Hickson in the mix this year.

2010-11

Thompson seemed well on his way towards establishing himself as the Kings' future at the power forward position, making the jump to the NBA from tiny Rider College in 2008. But his sophomore campaign wasn't as successful. Although he had some moments, particularly after taking over the center position for the injured Spencer Hawes, he didn't make the strides some expected. With Carl Landry set as the Kings' power forward and DeMarcus Cousins and Sam Dalembert now in the mix, Thompson will move to a bench role this season and be forced to make the most of much more limited opportunities.

2009-10

While some questioned the Kings’ selection of Thompson with the 12th overall pick of the 2008 draft, it appears the team knew what it was doing, as Thompson is the franchise’s future at power forward. During the final month of last season, he averaged 14.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks – not bad for a rookie coming from tiny Rider College. With a starting spot locked up, on a team lacking many scoring options, Thompson could be in store for a big sophomore campaign, and at age 22, he’s only going to get better. The Kings brought in coach Paul Westphal to be in charge of the youth movement in Sacramento, so the youngsters will get all the run they can handle, led by Thompson. Aside from Kevin Martin, who’s injury-prone, the team lacks viable scoring options, so Thompson will get plenty of opportunities. The addition of a supposedly healthy Sean May is worth noting, but Sacramento’s frontcourt is otherwise pretty thin.

2008-09

Taken with the 12th pick in the 2008 draft, Thompson comes from little known Rider college, making the selection a big surprise among most pundits. He averaged 12.1 rpg during his senior year, ranking second in the nation. There's an opportunity in the frontcourt for someone to step up.