With Anderson Varejao succumbing to injury, the Cleveland Cavaliers are checking the market for a reliable big man.
Varejao was ruled out for the season after suffering a season-ending torn Achilles injury in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Varejao on the sideline, the Cavs find themselves in desperate need of a big man. And now it looks like they are setting their sights on some potential big men. That list includes Kosta Koufos of the Memphis Grizzlies, Timofey Mozgov of the Denver Nuggets and the Lopez brothers, Brook and Robin.
However, the Grizzlies and the Nuggets are reportedly not interested in trading Koufos and Mozgov, even if the Boston Celtics are willing to come into the fray and act as a conduit to the mix.
The Celtics are eyeing a future first round pick and could dangle Jeff Green and/or Brandon Bass to get one.
With that said, it makes more sense for the Cavs to pursue one of the Lopez brothers, if the Cavs can do something about their salary problems. For now, their best option is to get a third team involved to get Brook or Robin Lopez, making it a bit more complicated for the Cavs to complete.
At the moment, the Cavs have improvised with Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love at the slot. But the fact remains that a true big man who can regularly man the middle is a dire need.
The Cavs do have backup players like Brendan Haywood Lou Amundson and Alex Kirk to help out but they may not be enough.
As far as relying on trades, the names of Dion Waiters and Brendan Haywood are reportedly abuzz. If the Cavs do decide to let go of Waiters, then and only then could a potential reliable big man perhaps be within striking distance for the embattled Cavs.
