Anderson Varejao is expected to open the season as the Cavs' starting center, the Morning Journal reports.

Varejao is expected to open the season as the Cavs' starting center, the Morning Journal reports.

Analysis:

While coach David Blatt is yet to officially announce a starter, Varejao is widely believed to hold the upper hand over Tristan Thompson. He averaged 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds during the preseason and is a favorite of LeBron James, who lauded the Brazilian's toughness and dedication. "He's the same Andy," James said earlier in camp. "If you ask him to run through six walls, he'll run through seven." Varejao is unquestionably the Cavs' best rim protector, but he's missed 166 games over the past four years. In order to keep him fresh, Thompson figures to see plenty of minutes, and Kevin Love could even slide over to the center spot in certain small-ball lineups. From a fantasy perspective, Varejao's value should rise with the return of James, but he's still only a fringe option in most leagues.