Anderson Varejao officially joins Warriors

In this Sept. 28, 2015, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Anderson Varejao poses during the NBA team’s media day, in Independence, Ohio. The Golden State Warriors agreed Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, to a contract with recently released center Varejao for the rest of the season. AP FILE PHOTO

ATLANTA— Brazilian center Anderson Varejao has officially joined the Golden State Warriors.

Varejao joined the team Monday in Atlanta after passing a physical, a day after he agreed to a contract with the defending champions for the rest of the season. Varejao is not active for Monday night’s game against the Hawks.

Varejao had spent 12 seasons with Cleveland before being dealt last week to Portland in a three-team trade that sent Channing Frye from Orlando to the Cavaliers. The Trail Blazers immediately cut the Brazilian.

READ: Warriors add former Cavalier Anderson Varejao

The Warriors wanted another big man with starting center Andre Bogut nursing a strained right Achilles and key backup Festus Ezeli out until at least late March with an injured left knee.

Golden State waived forward Jason Thompson to make room for Varejao.