Why is Tristan Thompson on the Lakers? LeBron James relationship, veteran leadership among reasons for signing

Thompson was signed on the final day of the regular season as an emergency backup for the Lakers' postseason run.

source https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/tristan-thompson-lakers-lebron-james-relationship/cwm0ybwy9f8mmnmjcbpqnadi