Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao is expected to be ready for training camp. Varejao has been quiet this offseason as he rehabs from his torn Achilles and works his way back into game shape. It is reported Varejao is expected to be nearly 100 percent for training camp after suffering the season-ending injury last December.
Last season, the Brazilian averaged 9.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and shot 55.5 percent from the field in just 26 games played.
After Varejao went down with the Achilles injury, and once he was officially listed out for the season, the Cavaliers desperately needed a rim protector at the center position. They indeed acquired a rim protecting center by dealing for center Timofey Mozgov in a trade in January with the Denver Nuggets.
Mozgov filled in adequately as Varejao's replacement at the starting center slot, and Mozgov is likely to be the Cavaliers' starting center this upcoming season. Varejao and newly signed Russian center Sasha Kaun will likely be battling minutes as a backup center for Mozgov.
Back in July, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin talked about Varejao and his recovery. Griffin said, "Andy feels very good, he actually wanted to try to dress in the Finals and wasn't real happy that we didn't let him to do it. So, I anticipate he'll be ready for the start of camp."
Varejao has had trouble remaining healthy, as he played just 31 games in the 2010-2011 season, 25 games in 2011-2012, 25 games in 2012-2013, 65 games in 2013-2014, and played just 26 games last season. In the 2012-2013 season, Varejao was having the best year of his career as he was averaging 14.1 points, 14.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Varejao has played 11 NBA seasons and has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers his entire career. He has not won a championship as a member of Cleveland all these years, just like his teammate LeBron James, as they will both look to accomplish the goal of winning the city its first ever championship this upcoming season.