In a candid discussion on The Katie Miller Podcast, NBA star Tristan Thompson opened up about his evolving family dynamics, revealing that the mothers of his four children, including ex-girlfriend Khloé Kardashian, have become 'great friends' and consider themselves 'all family.' The 35-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers center, known as much for his on-court prowess as for his tumultuous personal life, emphasized the importance of unity among his co-parents during the recent episode, which aired in late October 2024.
Thompson, who has navigated years of public scrutiny over his relationships and infidelities, described the current state of affairs as harmonious. 'We’re all friends. We’re all family,' he said, highlighting the open lines of communication that now exist. 'We all have each other’s contact info. We’re all in a great place, because I think that’s the No. 1 thing.'
At the heart of Thompson's comments is his commitment to prioritizing his children amid past controversies. He shares son Prince, now 9, with ex Jordan Craig; daughter True, 7, with Kardashian; son Theo, 4, with Maralee Nichols; and son Tatum, 3, with Kardashian via surrogate. 'At the end of the day — no matter how you chop it up and no matter how you want to put it together — we’re all tied together. We’re all family, and our kids are all siblings. They’re going to be in each other’s life for a long time,' Thompson explained.
The basketball player's journey to this point of familial accord has been marked by significant drama. Thompson began dating Kardashian in 2016, shortly after splitting from Craig, who was pregnant with Prince at the time. The couple welcomed True in April 2018, but just days before her birth, reports surfaced of Thompson's infidelity with multiple women, as confirmed by Us Weekly at the time.
Despite the setback, Kardashian and Thompson attempted to salvage their relationship. However, it unraveled further in February 2019 when Thompson was caught kissing Jordyn Woods, a close friend of Kardashian's sister Kylie Jenner, at a party in Los Angeles. The incident, which played out publicly on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, led to a definitive split.
Undeterred, the pair reconciled in August 2020, according to Us Weekly sources. Their reunion was short-lived; by late 2021, they had parted ways again after Thompson fathered Theo with Nichols during an affair. Around the same period, Kardashian was using a surrogate for Tatum, whose birth was confirmed in August 2022.
I take full responsibility for my actions. Now that paternity has been established I look forward to amicably raising our son. I sincerely apologize to everyone I’ve hurt or disappointed throughout this ordeal both publicly and privately.
Thompson issued this statement via his Instagram Story in December 2021, shortly after paternity tests confirmed his fatherhood of Theo. He followed with a heartfelt apology directed at Kardashian, writing, 'Khloé, you don’t deserve this. You don’t deserve the heartache and humiliation I have caused you. You don’t deserve the way I have treated you over the years. My actions certainly have not lined up with the way I view you. I have the utmost respect and love for you. Regardless of what you may think. Again, I am so incredibly sorry.'
Reflecting on these events during the podcast, Thompson credited maturity among all parties for the improved co-parenting situation. 'It’s our little tribe. … Coparenting [has been] great. The mothers of my children, they’ve been amazing. All of us are mature enough to understand that we all want to be great as parents,' he said. He praised the group for being 'on the same line of communication' and focusing on the children's well-being.
Thompson elaborated on the ease of managing multiple households, noting the ages of his children facilitate their interactions. 'But what we’ve learned is that we just want the best for our children. It’s very easy to coparent when you have the same beliefs that you want best for the kids. Life is life,' he shared. 'As long as you have a strong support system and our tribe is tight and we have each other’s back, that’s the most beautiful thing. Shout-out to my kids’ mothers, they’re phenomenal. They make my life easy.'
When discussing fatherhood of four, Thompson highlighted the logistical aspects. 'It’s just about having a schedule. The beauty is that all my kids are relatively around the same age and they love spending time with each other,' he noted. He individually praised each child—Prince for his athleticism, True for her kindness, Tatum for his curiosity—though he did not mention Theo by name in the interview.
The podcast appearance comes at a time when Thompson is focusing on his professional career, having re-signed with the Cavaliers in July 2024 on a two-year, $18 million contract. Off the court, he has maintained a low profile regarding his romantic life since the scandals, though he has been spotted attending events with Kardashian and their children, suggesting an amicable post-breakup relationship centered on co-parenting.
Kardashian, 41, has echoed similar sentiments in recent interviews, emphasizing her dedication to creating a stable environment for True and Tatum. In a September 2024 episode of her reality show, she described Thompson as a 'great dad' and noted their ongoing collaboration for the kids' sake, according to reports from Entertainment Tonight.
While Thompson's comments paint a picture of reconciliation, they also underscore the lasting impact of his past actions on public perception. The athlete has faced criticism from fans and media alike for his repeated infidelities, with social media often revisiting the 2019 Woods scandal and the 2021 Nichols revelation. Yet, in this latest reflection, Thompson appears focused on redemption through family unity.
Looking ahead, Thompson expressed openness to growing his family further. 'If God has it in my plans, so be it,' he said. 'I’m open. I love children.' Whether this signals new chapters in his personal life remains to be seen, but for now, the emphasis is on the 'tribe' he has built with his children at the center.
As Thompson continues his 14th season in the NBA, averaging 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game through early November 2024, his off-court narrative of healing and co-parenting offers a counterpoint to the headlines that once dominated his story. Sources close to the family, speaking to Us Weekly, indicate that the group holidays and shared events have become routine, fostering the bonds Thompson described.