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February 21, 2016Update 9:35 p.m.: According to The Veritcal’s Shams Charania, Varejao has agreed to terms with the Warriors.
Andy Varejao has reached agreement with the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 22, 2016
Anderson Varejao just sent me this message on agreeing to a deal with Warriors. pic.twitter.com/Un72cjMYdw
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 22, 2016
WFNY’s original post on the matter follows below:
Cleveland fans may see Anderson Varejao sooner than anticipated as the long-time Cavalier forward-center is likely to join the Golden State Warriors as soon as 5 p.m. on Sunday, this according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. On Saturday, Stein reported that the Warriors were joined by the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in pursuit of the recently waived big man, but it appears that the defending NBA champions have the inside track.
Sources say that the veteran big man, who spent the first 11 1/2 seasons of his pro career with the Cavaliers until being traded Thursday, has narrowed his choices down to Golden State and San Antonio after also attracting offers from, among others, Oklahoma City, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Varejao, who was traded to Portland in a three-team deal that sent forward Channing Frye to Cleveland, was quickly waived by the Trail Blazers, is expected to clear waivers and become a free agent on Sunday.
If the Warriors do sign the big man, he will bring energy, depth, and heart to their team. This season, Varejao has averaged just 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10 minutes per game, playing 31 games thus far. In his 12-year career, the second round (30th overall) pick by Orlando in the 2004 NBA Draft has averaged 7.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
Golden State, who currently does not have an open roster spot, is potentially without big-man Festus Ezeli until the playoffs due to his knee surgery, could use Varejao as another player in the frontcourt. Warriors guard Leonardo Barbosa and Varejao are teammates at the Brazilian national team, and former teammates Shaun Livingston, Marreese Speights and Luke Walton are all a part of the organization. Golden State head coach Steve Kerr made his opinion known about his team adding the big-man.
“I have not been notified of that but it makes perfect sense, right? I don’t even know, am I allowed to even mention his name? I can get fined by the NBA. I don’t even know what the rule is.”
Although he said in his letter to the city of Cleveland that “home is where the heart is, and my heart will forever be in Cleveland,” Varejao’s home — and heart — could be going in a city that could host the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals come June.
9 Comments
Oh boy – I imagine this news will be met with the calm and rationality Cleveland fans are known for.
Yeah because the small percentage that the media highlighted being irrational after LeBron left represents the entire fan base. Got it. Perhaps someone should tell other players who have gotten standing ovations and warm welcomes when coming to Cleveland in spite of being on the opposing team. A few people do not represent an entire city or fan base. If that were the case then every single fan base would be childish and ignorant as there are a small % of every fanbase who act like idiots and do things to show their displeasure. LeBron just happens to be a big deal and covering the fan reaction was a gold mine for the media as everyone would show interest (as you clearly have).
You misunderstand me, or perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. I meant that SOME fans are going to freak about a good player going to the NBA’s boogeyman. Not to say they’ll be mad at Andy for going to the Warriors. Nobody’s going to blame him for that -more so I’m expecting a ‘woe is me’ reaction from the percentage of CLE fans always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Glad he’s landing on his feet, sad it’s not here in Cleveland. I was hoping we’d retire his number one day, instead we’re likely going to see him get a ring or two with another team.
Makes perfect sense if you’re Andy Varejao… still sucks to see him go to the Warriors as a Cavs fan.
At least none of you will have to worry about him getting a ring now!
Retire his number? Good lord. He averaged 7pts/7rebs for his career. Why the heck retire the number of an average player???
Aw nuts. It makes sense because of the injuries the Warriors are dealing with right now. I doubt he sees much or any run come playoffs, however.
I think i probably speak for everyone when i say i have mixed emotions about this.
Super happy for Andy – the fact that the best teams in the league were fighting for his services confirms what we have always know about the guy: he’s the guy you hate to play but love to play with.
Good luck to him, but not to his team in the finals, unless they’re not playing Cleveland.