HoopsHype.com Rumors

Rookie Tyler Zeller returned to Cleveland on Wednesday for further evaluation after sustaining a concussion and broken cheekbone when Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan elbowed him in the face in the Cavs' 108-101 win Monday night. In that same game, center Anderson Varejao bruised his right knee in the first quarter. Varejao played through the pain on adrenaline but his knee swelled up later. He sat out Cleveland's game at the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night because of soreness. Cavs coach Byron Scott said it's unclear when either will return. "Tyler was playing great. We know how Andy was playing, unbelievable. You lose not only two of your best players, you lose your size as well," Scott said before his team faced the Warriors. "Again, we just got other guys who are going to come in and try to pick up the slack for what both those guys brought to the table." NBA.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Injuries, Anderson Varejao, Tyler Zeller 

Byron Scott on Andy's near triple-double: "I asked the referees if we can play five more minutes even though the game was already won so he can get another point and another assist. He's so valuable to us because of all the things that he does on both ends of the floor." Varejao finished with nine points, nine assists and 23 rebounds. The rebounds and assists are both career highs. Sulia

Cleveland Cavaliers, Anderson Varejao 

“Andy is a horse, man. He might win the Kentucky Derby by himself. I might have to saddle up and try and ride him to victory. That’s how strong of a leader he is.” – Cavaliers’ forward Tristan Thompson after Anderson Varejao had a career best 23 rebounds (12 offensive) plus 9 points and 9 assists in Cleveland’s opening night victory. NBCSports.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson 

For the time being, Anderson Varejao is with the Cavaliers. The forward/center has two years remaining on his contract after this season. The 30-year-old probably has three or four good years left, but the Cavs are at least two or three years from being a very good team. That's why several sources believe Varejao will be dealt at the trade deadline. "I'm still here," he said at Cavs media day on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "I can't control that. If they trade me, they trade me. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Anderson Varejao 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: Varejao, "I used to flop." But not now, of course. #Cavs Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Cleveland Cavaliers, Anderson Varejao 

It might not matter if Varejao starts or comes off the bench. He plays at a different intensity level than most of his teammates. The big question is whether the 30-year-old Varejao will be dealt at the trade deadline. Multiple sources around the league think the Cavs will deal him this season. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Anderson Varejao 

They thought about adding another veteran for leadership purposes, but decided against it. They had Anthony Parker and Antawn Jamison in those roles last season. The Cavs believe veteran coach Byron Scott is strong enough to fill part of that role, and they also want Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao to add leadership. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Cavaliers, Byron Scott, Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varejao 

Don't put any stock in the recent Internet rumor suggesting the Timberwolves and Cavaliers are talking about a deal involving Wolves forward Derrick Williams and guard Luke Ridnour, and Cavs big man Anderson Varejao. A Wolves team executive said no such conversations have taken place. FOXSportsOhio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Luke Ridnour, Anderson Varejao, Derrick Williams 

The source told Sheridan Hoops the Magic have been only tangentially involved in recent talks as the Rockets, Lakers and Cavaliers have tried to put together packages. Houston’s package involves a collection of draft picks and young players. Los Angeles and Cleveland have discussed the framework of a three-way deal in which Howard goes to LA, Andrew Bynum goes to Cleveland and Anderson Varejao and multiple draft picks go to Orlando. SheridanHoops

Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Andrew Bynum, Anderson Varejao 

The Lakers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly discussing a three-team trade that would send Howard to the Lakers, Andrew Bynum to the Cavaliers, while the Magic would receive Anderson Varejao and multiple draft picks. Howard has always been impressed with the Lakers’ winning tradition and intrigued with the off-court opportunities that come with playing in Los Angeles. Questions about Howard's role with the team, however, became an early concern for the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Howard has since moved on from those concerns and is confident he will be an integral part of a team that will have a chance to compete immediately for a championship, according to sources that spoke with RealGM. RealGM

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, Anderson Varejao 

The Cavaliers would land Lakers center Andrew Bynum for a package of draft picks and veteran power forward Anderson Varejao, according to one league source. The Lakers would receive Howard for Bynum. Orlando would get Varejao and draft picks. The source said this was merely the framework of a deal being discussed. Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant was in Las Vegas watching summer-league action but made an unplanned return to Cleveland, sources say, and is not expected to return. In the frenzy of anticipating if, when and where Howard might be dealt, such otherwise innocuous events have been enough to inspire massive speculation that a deal is near. The Lakers have engaged both the Rockets and Cavaliers in their attempt to land Howard, sources say, because those two teams have both interest in acquiring Bynum, and have the requisite salary-cap room to accept larger player salaries than they send out in a deal. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Draft, Andrew Bynum, Chris Grant, Las Vegas, Anderson Varejao 

The Cavaliers would land Lakers center Andrew Bynum for a package of draft picks and veteran power forward Anderson Varejao, according to one league source. The Lakers would receive Howard for Bynum. The source said this was merely the framework of a deal being discussed. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, Anderson Varejao 

Crazy rumors circulating that #Cavs are embroiled in trade talks with Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. Cavs would receive center Andrew Bynum from the Lakers. Cavs would possibly send Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson and picks to the Magic. Story was first reported by HoopsWorld. This could also mean the Cavs might make a waiver claim on forward/center Luis Scola. Sulia

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Andrew Bynum, Dwight Howard, Luis Scola, Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson 

Marc Stein: Hearing Cavs quietly made it known during Draft they'd listen to Varejao trade pitches. Gotta wonder: Would Scola make it easier to deal AV? Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Free Agency, Trade, Luis Scola, Anderson Varejao 

Alvaro Martin: Brazil beats Greece in SaoPaulo in an exhibition 78-71 with Varejao and Nene as starting frontcourt; Splitter (9 pts, 8 reb) off the bench. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Tiago Splitter, FIBA, Greece, Anderson Varejao, Nene, Brazil 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: NBA source with knowledge of Warriors plans doesn't think there's anything to rumor the #Cavs are looking to send Varejao to GS for Barnes Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Draft, Trade, Anderson Varejao, Harrison Barnes 

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Tom Reed: It's possible #Cavs haven't given up on Harrison Barnes. Michael Reghi reporting Cavs trying to trade Varejao to Golden State for him. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Draft, Trade, Anderson Varejao, Harrison Barnes 

Alex Kennedy: The Cavaliers are gauging interest in Anderson Varejao, but they want a lot back. As I said a few days ago, offers haven't impressed them. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Trade, Anderson Varejao 

Marc Stein: Good stuff just now on SC from @Chris Broussard: Cleveland has discussed dealing Anderson Varejao for No. 7 (Warriors) and No. 12 (Rockets) Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Draft, Trade, Anderson Varejao 

Rick Bonnell: Cavs' Anderson Varejao is player #Bobcats unsuccessfully signed to offer sheet. Varejao is available, I'm told by other teams. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Draft, Trade, Anderson Varejao