NBA Notes: Varejao undergoes surgery

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CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao had surgery to repair a split leg muscle, an injury that could sideline him two more months.

Varejao had the operation on Thursday at The Cleveland Clinic. The team said he is resting comfortably and will be kept overnight. Varejao, the NBA's leading rebounder, has been sidelined since getting hurt against Toronto on Dec. 18. His injury was initially believed to be just a bad bruise, but further testing revealed that the quadriceps muscle tore near his right knee.

He is expected to miss at least six weeks. Varejao, one of the league's hardest working and hustling players, has missed more than 100 games over the past three seasons with injuries.

Unknown future for Kings
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Aaron Brooks has been in an awkward spot since news surfaced that the Sacramento Kings could be sold and moved back to his hometown of Seattle.

The Kings guard has no answers for family and friends who have been calling and texting for information. Even the excitement his brother, Alvertis, had when he showed up for a visit evaporated once he realized those in Sacramento might feel the same sorrow as when the SuperSonics left for Oklahoma City in 2008.

"Seattle does need a team. But you would hate to have a team leave a city you know wants a basketball team," Brooks said. "It's unfortunate."

For Sacramento players, coaches and fans, this is not an easy time.

The Kings hosted the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in the first game since the latest -- and perhaps most serious -- round of relocation talks began, with chatter around the aging arena seemingly centering on everything but basketball.

Newspaper and television reporters from Seattle showed up looking for more answers along with an increased local media presence. Fans contemplated whether they should keep supporting a team they love. Ushers and parking attendants who depend on the team for work approached reporters asking if they knew what might happen.

Even players and coaches couldn't deny all the attention made it difficult to focus on the game.

"It's definitely going to be a distraction," said Kings coach Keith Smart. "But we're pros. We've got to figure out a way how to separate the two and then get ready to play," (see full story).

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