Cavs Rumors: Looking at the Centers

Dec 23, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao (17) reacts after suffering a leg injury in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Finding another big man who could help protect the rim has been an admitted priority of Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin since before the season began, and plenty of Cavs rumors have linked them to them. Now what was a need the Cavaliers could take their time in addressing has become a pressing demand with center Anderson Varejao lost for the season after suffering a torn achilles tendon. Today King James Gospel takes a look at several big men who have been linked to the Cavaliers, and try to determine the best possible fit both in terms of what they would bring to the team and what it would take to acquire them.

It won’t be easy for the Cavs as big men are rare commodities that teams, even non-contending teams, are not very interested in giving up. Next year, via trade, there could be a number of interesting names that teams might be looking to move, to get rid of salary, that the Cavs could use the Brendan Haywood contract and other assets to acquire. Roy Hibbert, Larry Sanders and Brook Lopez are three of the biggest names. Shooting even higher, the Cavs could use Haywood along with another contract like Dion Waiters, plus the Memphis Grizzlies pick, in a sign and trade for someone like Marc Gasol.

Next year’s options are far greater than this years but the Cavs want to compete, and win, now. Here is our list of players that Cavs rumors have pumped out over the past few months, why they might be a fit and what it might take to get them.

Next: Local Boy Come Home?