Cleveland Cavaliers alum Tristan Thompson has found himself in a sticky situation! While appearing on Shannon Sharpe‘s “Club Shay Shay,” the former NBA star spoke about his relationship with Drake, likening him to a “brother,” and dished on how they’ve supported each other over the years. Later in the episode, Thompson told the NFL legend that he’s also working on fixing the broken relationship between Drake and LeBron James.
Speaking with Sharpe, Thompson said he considers rapper Drake to be like a “brother” to him, revealing that they’ve known each other for years. “I’ve known him since I’ve been 17. That’s family. Always gonna ride with him,” he continued.
According to Thompson, born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Drake was there for the athlete when he lost his mother in January 2023.
“We have a relationship. I spoke to him during last week, as well. We’re close. I mean, the beauty about all of us Canadians… you know, we all root for each other,” Thompson added.
“For myself, I’m close with Drake, but I’m also close with The Weeknd. I love The Weeknd, that’s my brother, as well. PARTYNEXTDOOR, love him, as well. That’s all family,” he continued.
Thompson Said It’s ‘Toronto Vs. The World’
Thompson said he’ll always cheer for his fellow Canadians, adding that they all see it as “Toronto vs. the World.”
“We’re called the Screwface Capital. We come with a chip on our shoulders. Obviously, Drake has led the way in the entertainment and music industry, doing his thing. Hip-hop needed him. You see when he dropped three albums,” Thompson said.
Drake is well known for embracing his Canadian roots, frequently paying tribute to Toronto in his music. In a 2015 interview, Drake spoke about his love for the city.
“Most people I know stay in Toronto. I plan to spend the rest of my life there. The talk, the smell, the sound that comes out of that city is home to me,” he said. “When I think about the girls I want to get romantic with, it’s a girl from Toronto who knows what I’m talking about when we drive around the city.”
Thompson ‘Trying’ To Fix Drake’s Beef With LeBron James
Later during the “Club Shay Shay” episode, Thompson responded to Sharpe, who asked the athlete about whether he could help get LeBron James and Drake back on good terms.
“I would love to,” Thompson said. “Listen, yeah. Listen. I’m trying, man. I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying.”
His comments come nearly a year after Drake and James made headlines after eagle-eyed fans spotted the former unfollowing several celebs on Instagram, including James, according to The Blast.
Drake’s move came after James was seen singing along to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” in 2024. The “Big Rings” rapper hinted at the fallout during a concert in October of that year.
“My real friends are definitely in the building,” Drake said. “But let me tell you that you’re going to come to a point in life where people you thought were friends, people you thought were close to you switch up.”
He added, “They might try to move funny with you. They might stab you in the back. They might do a lot of things to you. You’ll come to that realization, wherever you’re at in life. You’ve probably been there and you’ll be there again. That’s how life is. Sometimes it’s you and you alone by yourself.”
LeBron James Breaks Silence On Drake’s Issue With Him
James and Drake had a years-long friendship before the fallout, as Drake previously admitted to texting the NBA champion before every game.
In September 2025, James opened up about his relationship with Drake during an interview with Speedy Morman during an episode of his “360” show.
“Always wish him the best. Obviously, um, different places right now, currently. He’s doing his thing, I’m doing mine. But it’s always love, for sure,” he said.
Drake Doesn’t Care About LeBron James’ Well-Wishes
Drake seemed unfazed by James’ well-wishes, considering he blasted the athlete in a song on his new album, “ICEMAN.” In the song “1 AM In Albany,” Drake took a clear shot at James and gave his listeners little hope that they would ever reconcile.
“I shouldn’t even be shocked to see you in that arena, because you always made your career off of switching teams up,” Drake rapped in the song. “Please stop asking what’s going on with 23 & me, I’m a real n****, and he’s not, it’s in my DNA.”
