Andrew Bogut fractures tibia, likely out for the season

Andrew Bogut made his debut for the Cavaliers on Monday night, and there is a high probability he has played his last game in a Cavalier uniform.

Just 58 seconds after Bogut came off the bench, his shin collided with the knee of the Miami Heat’s Okaro White. He was helped off the floor, and X-rays later revealed that he has a fractured tibia. Based on the typical recovery timeline for this type of injury, the earliest Bogut would be available is by the NBA Finals, but the chances are that he won’t even be ready to play by that time.

This is a crushing blow for the Cavaliers. Cleveland came into the game ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency, and after Chris Anderson suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier in the season, the only centers they have on their roster are the undersized Tristan Thompson and the perimeter-oriented Channing Frye.

After four successful seasons with the Warriors, the former #1 overall pick was struggling mightily on offense in Dallas, averaging just 3 points a game on 47% shooting from the floor and 27% from the free-throw line. However, he was averaging 8.3 rebounds a game in just 22 minutes of playing time, was third in defensive real plus-minus behind Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert, and is still regarded as one of the better passing centers in the league.

It was a brilliant stroke of luck for the Cavaliers to acquire Bogut, but it appears to have been too good to be true.

It remains to be seen what the market will be for Bogut in the off-season, and if the Cavaliers will attempt to re-sign him. His contract expires at the end of the season, just like the contracts of Kyle Korver, Derrick Williams, Deron Williams, and James Jones, all but the latter of whom were mid-season additions. Additionally, former Cavs 2nd-round pick Cedi Osman is expected to join the Cavaliers next season after spending time overseas, meaning that David Griffin, Dan Gilbert and Co. will likely have to make some decisions about who stays and who goes in the off-season.

The Cavs can sign a free agent, but any player who has not already been waived by his team at this point would not be eligible to play in this year’s playoffs.