INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- As Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Beilein was answering questions during his media session Thursday afternoon, he spotted big man Tristan Thompson launching 3-pointers from all around the arc alongside side coach Steve Frankowski. That’s part of Thompson’s post-practice routine these days, sometimes even mixing in a plethora of trailer 3s.

“He’s working on it. That’s still an experiment,” Beilein said. “He’s down there right now. And I love it. Once again, look at that, one in a row.”

Then Thompson made a second straight from the left corner. Moments later, Beilein finished his chat and walked toward the opposite hoop. Thompson kept launching. Finally, the 6-foot-10 center concluded his workout by nailing a handful in a row from the right corner and celebrating with his new coach, who has given Thompson -- and the other bigs -- the freedom to launch. Within reason, of course.

“If anything, when he gets this, if he never shoots a 3 all year, he’ll be a better foul shooter, he will be a better 15-footer, he’s getting a rhythm,” Beilein said. “He didn’t know what hand he was for a little bit. He was so left-hand dominant, and then we did a little work this summer, and he’s picked right up on it and loving it.”

Thompson, entering his ninth NBA season, hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer in a regular season game since Jan. 13, 2017. In eight years, covering 562 regular season games, Thompson has attempted just nine total 3s. He lives inside the paint, doing his best work around the basket. But the game is evolving.

There’s, no doubt, plenty of value to the elements Thompson brings -- screen-setting, rolling, rebounds, in-the-lane hookshots, defensive switches. That didn’t stop him from working all off-season on extending his range, recognizing the importance of spacing in Beilein’s offense. Thompson even took a pair of shots from beyond the arc during the Cavaliers’ first preseason game against San Lorenzo Monday night. He missed both. But that won’t deter him from hoisting in the future, maybe as soon as Friday in Detroit.

“They felt great, and I definitely felt comfortable taking them,” Thompson said recently. “I’ve been working on them, so I can’t wait for Friday.”

When asked where his comfortable range is on the court, Thompson didn’t hesitate.

“Where I shot those from 3,” he said. “I’m comfortable shooting them, that’s why I shot it."

Favorite spot? Corner? Above the break? Top of the key?

“All around the arc,” Thompson said. "I’ve been practicing all around the arc.”

Cleveland’s practices are charted. The coaches are keeping track of a variety of stats. The players know that. The hope is it forces them to take those drills and scrimmages more seriously. If the percentages are respectable in practice then players will get the go-ahead to see if it will translate in a game environment.

“I think we’re giving him a license to do a lot of things right now,” Beilein said. “You can’t tell a guy, ‘You can’t shoot 3s,’ without giving him that opportunity. So I want him to roll more and do things. But you know what I love? His energy, it’s just great with this team. He’s really taken on a real premier leadership in the team. He huddles us up every time. Just his energy gives his leadership, without saying a word, I think people understand, he’s all in to get as much hustle, rebounds or plays.”

And now, apparently, the 3-ball could be part of his arsenal as well.

The same goes for Larry Nance Jr., who made a career-best 33 triples on 98 attempts last season -- also a high mark in his career.

Nance estimates taking around 20,000 at Cleveland Clinic Courts over the summer, shooting from the outside until he was “blue in the face.” Nance spoke about the advantage he will have on defenders if they close out to him on the perimeter, able to use his quick first step, unique athleticism and improved handle to attack the paint. Nance doesn’t have a specific number in mind just yet, but Beilein would like to his attempts to rise. Beilein believes Nance should have about four or five clean looks from deep per game. He even prompted the media to stay on Nance about shooting with confidence.

“Anytime you guys talk to him, tell him ‘Coach wants you to shoot the 3.' You can tell him, too. That when he’s open, he should not hesitate,” Beilein said. “If he goes halfway through the season and he’s still not making them, then we’ll talk. But we need (him) to be that ultimate stretch four. He’s a hybrid. He can shoot, he can really pass, he can guard multiple possessions. We want (him) out on the floor, but can’t turn down open shots."

Nance went 1-of-2 in the preseason opener.

“If he shoots two or three (per game) we would be happy,” Beilein said.

Part of the idea is, obviously, to shoot more 3s. It’s where the game is going. The Cavs were 24th in 3-point attempts last season. They were also bottom-third in made 3s, averaging 10.3.

But the motivation goes beyond that. The Cavs have placed spacing boxes at both wings, a few feet beyond the arc. They want players to get used to being in certain spots. They want them to stand further out.

Spaced-out bigs are intended to pull bigger defenders away from the paint, making things easier on rookie point guard Darius Garland, second-year guard Collin Sexton and other Cleveland attackers. It’s also part of the reason the Cavs are excited about John Henson’s potential. Last year in Milwaukee, Henson added the 3-pointer to his repertoire, shooting 35.5 percent in 14 games. Henson took 13 total 3s in his first six NBA seasons. He nearly tripled that before suffering a season-ending wrist injury that played a large part in him getting traded to the Cavs in December.

Experimenting will be a big part of the preseason. It may carry over into the first few weeks of the regular season as well. Bigs shooting from beyond the arc is part of that study.

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