Report: Cavs could activate Varejao in NBA Finals if necessary
Should the Cleveland Cavaliers be in a desperate enough position to activate Anderson Varejao for the NBA Finals, they just might do so, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported.
The Brazilian center and longtime Cav went down with a torn Achilles tendon on Dec. 23, 2014, during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
While injuries of this nature often take longer than five months to heal properly (the famously tough Kobe Bryant took nine months to return from a similar ailment), the Cavs have a depleted frontcourt roster. Timofey Mozgov and Tristan Thompson are regulars in coach Blatt's rotation, while Kendrick Perkins and Brendan Haywood hardly see the floor. With Kevin Love (shoulder) out, and no time machine to help Shawn Marion jump back to 2006 form, Cleveland might call Varejao's number if they find themselves in dire straights.
Aside from LeBron James, Varejao is the only player to have played on the Cavs team that was swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2007 NBA Finals.
HEADLINES
- Harbaugh: Lamar to play TNF vs. Bengals despite missing practice
- Spurs' Sochan to undergo surgery for fractured thumb
- Week 10 Rankings (Early Edition): Burrow, Jackson highlight TNF showdown
- Ohtani undergoes shoulder surgery, expected to be ready for spring
- Blue Jays' Atkins: 'Easy no' to Bichette trade inquiries