Tristan Thompson was considered by some to be a surprise pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 4 selection in 2011 ahead of Jonas Valanciunas. 

Valanciunas didn't come to the NBA until the 12-13 season.

"It's only a surprise if you didn't watch the workouts," Thompson said following Thursday's practice before heading to Toronto. "If you ask ownership and coach (Byron) Scott and CG (Former GM Chris Grant) and even Griff (General Manager David Griffin), if you watched the workouts, there's some other guys in that workout that probably shouldn't have went in the pick they went, but, we won't get into that. It was not a surprise."

Thompson and Valanciunas will always be linked by their draft class.

"In the draft you always have a special bond and connection, especially if you have one that goes right after you, so it's kind of always, I guess everybody thinks you're competing," Thompson said. "But me and him both have a good relationship off the court, so we just push each other and try to get the best."