CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao has suffered a tear to his left Achilles tendon and will miss the rest of the season, sources told FOX Sports Ohio on Wednesday.
Varejao suffered the injury in the second half of the Cavs' 125-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. He needed the assistance of teammates to get to the locker room, and was unable to put any pressure on the foot while walking.
Varejao was seen leaving the locker room Tuesday on crutches and wearing what appeared to be a walking boot. An MRI performed Wednesday revealed the extent of the injury.
"Everything points to his Achilles," a team source told FOX Sports Ohio prior to the MRI.
The team confirmed the injury by press release late Wednesday afternoon, adding a timetable for Varejao's return to basketball activity will be developed after surgery is performed "in the near future."
Varejao, 32, is in his 11th season, all with the Cavs. He earned the starting center spot over Tristan Thompson in training camp, and is averaging 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds. He played 65 games (of 82) last season, but just a total of 81 in the three seasons combined before that because of injuries.
The Cavs (17-10) have won 12 of 15 heading into their Christmas Day game at Miami.
Even before Varejao's injury, the Cavs have been exploring trades -- with many of their conversations centered on big men.
According to FOX Sports Ohio sources, the Cavs have recently taken part in talks centered on Memphis Grizzlies center/forward Kosta Koufos and Denver Nuggets center Timofey Movgoz. Those talks have not progressed, however.
They are also interested in Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez and his twin brother, Robin Lopez of the Portland trail Blazers, sources said. But salaries would make a deal for either nearly impossible.
Others said to be available who could draw interest from the Cavs are New York Knicks center Samuel Dalembert and unrestricted free agent and center Jermaine O'Neal. Aaron Gray, Emeka Okafor, Bernard James, Earl Barron, Andris Biedrins and Marcus Camby are other free-agent centers of note.
Sources said the Cavs also made an exploratory call on power forward Josh Smith, released by the Detroit Pistons on Monday. But Smith has committed to sign with the Houston Rockets, according to a report by Yahoo Sports and FOX Sports 1 insider Adrian Wojarnowski.
As a result of Varejao's injury, the Cavs can apply for a Disabled Player Exception worth $5 million. They also own a Traded Player Exception of $5.2 million.
However, per league rules, the two exceptions cannot be combined for use on one player or in a trade.
