The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Big Three have remained healthy this season, but one of the Cavs’ key role players was not so lucky.
Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao has a been diagnosed with a torn Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday, citing a league source.
Varejao suffered the injury during Tuesday night’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tristan Thompson will replace him in the starting lineup for the time being, but the Cavaliers reportedly have engaged other teams in trade talks in an effort to bring in a new big man.
The Boston Celtics — and newly acquired center/power forward Brandan Wright — reportedly have been involved in these talks.
Varejao is the longest-tenured player on the Cavs’ current roster, having joined the team in 2004, just one year after LeBron James began his first stint in Cleveland. Injuries have long been an issue for the 32-year-old Brazilian, though, limiting him to 31 or fewer games in four of the last five seasons.
Varejao started all 26 games he played in this season, averaging 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
