Cavaliers news, features and notes
- 2013 NBA Scouting Combine: Cleveland Cavaliers focus on drafting good players, not overall strength of draft
- 2013 NBA Scouting Combine: Otto Porter seems like perfect fit for Cleveland Cavaliers but no meeting on agenda
- 2013 NBA Scouting Combine notebook: Nerlens Noel won’t play until late December but still interests Cavaliers
- Projected top pick Nerlens Noel won't be ready for start of season, targeting Christmas
- Former Ohio State star Deshaun Thomas refuses to give NBA team his phone number at combine
- Otto Porter, Cleveland Cavaliers won't meet during combine
- NBA Draft filled with mystery prospects; Otto Porter of Georgetown could be Cavs target
- Cavs notebook: Waiters, Zeller named to All-Rookie teams
- Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters named to All-Rookie first team; Tyler Zeller named to second team
- Cavs to interview Phil Handy for coaching staff
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Varejao develops blood clot, will miss rest of season
Anderson Varejao developed a blood clot in his lower right lung and will miss the rest of the season, the Cavaliers announced on Monday. The clot developed following his surgery on Jan. 10 to repair a split quadriceps muscle near his right knee. Varejao was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on Jan. 17 to treat the clot.
He is expected to make a full recovery, but will need to be on blood thinning medications for about three months.
"Clearly our players' health is our top concern and we are disappointed for Anderson, and his family," general manager Chris Grant said in a statement. "We know what a competitor he is and how much he wants to be on the court helping his teammates. In the meantime, he has our full support and we look forward to welcoming him back as he recovers."
It's another crushing blow for Varejao, who has played in only 81 games over the last three seasons while dealing with a variety of injuries. He missed four months in 2011 after tearing a tendon in his ankle running sprints after practice, he missed three months last season after fracturing his wrist when he was fouled on a play and now this.
His initial injury was diagnosed as a knee contusion and the split in the quadriceps didn't show up on initial MRIs. In a month's time, Varejao went from potential All-Star to what was initially considered a routine knee injury to a season-ending blood clot.
Varejao was leading the league in rebounding when he was injured. He finishes the season averaging 14.1 points and 14.4 rebounds in 25 games. He played just 25 games last season as well before suffering the fractured wrist.
