When the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off with the Minnesota Timberwolves the focus was all on Cavs big man Kevin Love facing off against his old team. Unfortunately the attention switched to what may be a horrible injury in the form of Anderson Varejao. Varejao leads a Cavaliers front court that is super thin and now, unfortunately for the Cavaliers, Varejao may be out for quite sometime, pending a Wednesday MRI.
The following from Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN:
Initial tests weren’t able to determine the severity of the injury and Varejao was forced to leave the arena on crutches, with league sources telling ESPN.com that the Cavs fear one potential outcome is a torn Achilles.
Varejao left the Cavaliers win over the Timberwolves in the third quarter when he came down awkwardly on his left foot and went to the ground with what the team tried to say was a “sprain”. He had to be carried to the locker room, he couldn’t put any weight on his leg, he did not return to the game and was seen leaving Quicken Loans Arena on crutches and with his leg immobilized in an air cast.
Hopefully Varejao isn’t seriously injured because the Cavs weak spot this season has been their frontcourt play, especially at the center position. Varejao is averaging 10 points per game on 55 % shooting, and grabs 6 rebounds a game. He’s often the big man setting the screen for LeBron James up top and is one of the remaining players that are still around from the King’s last stint in Cleveland. Varejao’s +/- numbers aren’t great at all but when your other actual official listed center is Brendan Haywood, you don’t have many options.
Immediately, looking ahead to their upcoming Christmas Day matchup with the Miami Heat, the Cavs may look to start Tristan Thompson or Haywood at the 5. The Cavaliers have been active in the trade market looking for a big man and if this Varejao injury is worst then expected, there may be a big deal in the works for the Cavs and fast.
The following according to ESPN as well.
The team has been seeking additional help for their front line going back to the summer, having specifically targeted Timofey Mozgov of the Denver Nuggets and Kosta Koufos of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Sources say that the Cavs, in recent days, have been in contact with the Boston Celtics about working as a facilitator in three-team trade scenarios. The Celtics, blessed with frontcourt depth in the wake of their recent acquisition of Brandan Wright in the Rajon Rondo deal, have been aggressive recently in their attempts to acquire future draft picks.
