CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As the shock of losing Anderson Varejao to a fractured wrist subsides, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott must fill the minutes and void left by his absence.

It won't be easy or accomplished by one player. In Semih Erden, Ryan Hollins and Samardo Samuels, the coach has three centers from which to choose and none which he trusts. Each has played his way out of the rotation at some point.

On a club receiving decent bench contributions, the backup center has been a nettlesome position for Scott. Now, one of those three must assume a starter's role for the immediate future.

There is another option, of course. Scott isn't ready to fold rookie Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup, which is understandable given his lack of experience. But the 6-9, 227-pound Texas product ultimately should become the biggest benefactor of an unfortunate circumstance.

The No. 4 overall pick in the draft, Thompson has the most upside of any Cavaliers' big man. He also has most to prove. He's probably going the get that opportunity over the final 40 games -- whether he plays center or his natural position of power forward. His minutes figure to increase as he recovers from a sprained ankle.

In his return to the lineup, Thompson played 28 minutes and much of the second half and overtime in place of Varejao on Friday against Milwaukee. He finished with 13 rebounds, three blocked shots and five points. Thompson wasn't nearly as effective on Saturday, missing all six of his shots against Philadelphia, but he still managed to grab eight rebounds in 18 minutes.

"I want to keep him coming off the bench for right now," Scott said. "That was his first game back ... and he did pretty good. But he missed a while and I want him to get a few more practices in and get his timing back."

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Thompson, who will play in the Rising Stars Challenge as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend, shows real promise as a weak-side defender, shot blocker and rebounder. He is long, athletic, active, and in a league which has few true centers he can play the position despite giving up 20 or 30 pounds to opponents. Varejao is, after all, a converted power forward as well.

Among rookies, Thompson ranks first in rebounds (5.3) and second in blocks (1.2).

"I pride myself on defense," he said. "Guarding a [power forward] or [center] it's probably not that much difference."

It's on the offensive end where Thompson remains as raw as an April wind whipping through Progressive Field. His jump shot and foul shooting need work. He rarely passes the ball once in scoring position regardless of the defenders around him. It's one reason he has just three assists in 360 minutes.

"I told him the one thing he has to do a better job of [is] when he offensive rebounds the ball, if he can't go right back up and dunk it, he has to bring it out," Scott said. "Three things can happen and two of them aren't very good. Being a young player, I think he'll learn that."

With Antawn Jamison as one of the team's few scoring options and Varejao enjoying an All-Star caliber season, there were only so many minutes for Thompson to develop. But his playing time and his comfortable level in the offense figure to increase. He has good hands and can use both to finish around the basket.

The Cavaliers know what they have in Erden, Hollins and Samuels. There's still much to discover about Thompson, whose game, at least among the reserves, most resembles Varejao's.

Injuries afford opportunity. Thompson is about to get his.

Dribbles: Erden is expected to start against Indiana on Wednesday. ... The Cavaliers did not practice on Sunday.