Staff and wire reports
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers and Anderson Varejao reportedly have agreed on a six-year contract worth $42.5 million, but could reach as much as $50 with incentives.
Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced the signing Thursday afternoon, though terms were not disclosed.
Ferry had earlier stated his intent to re-sign the 6-foot-11 Brazilian after Varejao did not exercise his option on a $6.2 million contract for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent.
“From the start of free agency, Anderson made it clear he wanted to be a part of our future and that he loved being in Cleveland,” Ferry said. “He brings many valued contributions to our team on and off the court and plays with relentless passion and energy every play. He is an elite defender and we want to continue building our strong defensive identity.”
Known for his hustle, Varejao posted career-highs with 42 starts, 8.6 points per game and a field-goal percentage of .536 last season, when the Cavs won a league-high 66 regular-season games, but were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals by Orlando.
The signing is the second major offseason move by the Cavaliers, who completed a blockbuster trade June 25 to acquire center Shaquille O’Neal from the Phoenix Suns.
The Plain Dealer’s report and other online reports of the agreement were attributed to Varejao’s agent, Dan Fegan. A telephone message for Fegan on Thursday was not immediately returned.
“Andy wanted to stay in Cleveland,” Fegan told the newspaper. “He feels there is unfinished business — to win an NBA championship.”
Varejao had interest from several teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder, and other potential sign-and-trade offers from other teams without salary-cap space.
Fegan said several teams were willing to offer Varejao contracts that averaged $10 million per season.
A new Varejao deal is a sign any previous animosity between the player and Cavaliers management is no longer an issue. The two sides bickered over a contract in 2007, and Varejao consequently missed the first part of that season in a holdout.
The deal reportedly will keep Varejao’s salary cap number to a little more than $7 million for the 2010-11 season, which could help Cleveland’s position next summer, when Cavaliers superstar LeBron James potentially could be a free agent.
The last year of Varejao’s contract is not guaranteed, instead it will be a player option that gives the Cavaliers’ management flexibility.
One of the teams reportedly interested in Varejao were the Dallas Mavericks. However, after the Mavericks inked Marcin Gortat away from the Orlando Magic, the team moved away from Varejao.
Dallas also was on the verge of acquiring All-Star forward Shawn Marion on Thursday, in a multi-team trade.
Multiple teams had to get on board with the trade to make the financial situations work.
Varejao had his best season of his career in 2008-09, with his averages hitting 8.6 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game.
However, much of what Varejao does on the basketball court cannot be measured. His high-energy blend of basketball and great defense has turned the shaggy-haired Brazilian into one of the team’s most popular players.