Cleveland Cavaliers: Right Move to Extend Anderson Varejao?
Despite the vigor in which owner Dan Gilbert fought to prevent super-teams in other markets, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the NBA’s new juggernaut. Four-time MVP LeBron James, All-NBA power forward Kevin Love and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving lead what’s one of the most balanced rosters in basketball.
In a press release via general manager David Griffin, it was announced that the Cavaliers shelled out money to keep another player in town for the long-haul: center Anderson Varejao.
#Cavs and @VAREJAOANDERSON sign contract extension. View [DETAILS]: http://t.co/LI4mN1fgys #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/cUg2PuPKLl
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) October 31, 2014
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that it’s a three-year deal worth $30 million with a third-year team option.
For Anderson Varejao's Cavs extension, two years, $20M of deal is guaranteed. The $10M on third year is a team option, league source says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2014
A fan favorite remains in Cleveland.
Varejao, 32, has been with the Cavaliers since 2004. In that time, he’s averaged 7.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 25.9 minutes, seeing a spike in production since his rise in playing time occurred in 2010-11.
In large part due to his familiarity with James and the Cavaliers as an organization, Brazilian big man was named the starting center for the 2014-15 season. That inevitably plays a large part in Cleveland potentially paying Varejao $10 million per season.
The question is, did Cleveland make the right decision to extend Varejao?