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By George Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 05:40 p.m. EDT, Jul 01, 2009
CLEVELAND: In a move that surprised no one, Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao opted out of the final year of his contract, one that would bring him about $6.2 million, to test the free-agent waters.
Two seasons ago, Varejao and the Cavs were involved in a protracted contract dispute that strained the relationship between the sides.
Any differences were eventually worked out and Varejao has said on more than one occasion during the past year that he wants to remain with the team. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry has said Varejao remains a valued part of the organization.
This season, Varejao had career highs in starts (42) and scoring (8.6 points per game), but he is recognized for the defensive spark he provides.
The Cavs are free to offer Varejao a contract throughout the free-agency period, which began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Varejao finds himself in a crowded field at the power forward position after the Milwaukee Bucks didn't offer Charlie Villanueva a qualifying offer and the Portland Trail Blazers passed on the services of power forward Channing Frye.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
CLEVELAND: In a move that surprised no one, Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao opted out of the final year of his contract, one that would bring him about $6.2 million, to test the free-agent waters.
Two seasons ago, Varejao and the Cavs were involved in a protracted contract dispute that strained the relationship between the sides.
Any differences were eventually worked out and Varejao has said on more than one occasion during the past year that he wants to remain with the team. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry has said Varejao remains a valued part of the organization.
This season, Varejao had career highs in starts (42) and scoring (8.6 points per game), but he is recognized for the defensive spark he provides.
The Cavs are free to offer Varejao a contract throughout the free-agency period, which began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Varejao finds himself in a crowded field at the power forward position after the Milwaukee Bucks didn't offer Charlie Villanueva a qualifying offer and the Portland Trail Blazers passed on the services of power forward Channing Frye.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 05:53 PM, 07/01/2009
C'Mon, Anderson, stay here & win a ring with "the King". .
Hiram, GA
Posted 06:03 PM, 07/01/2009
Bye Bye Andy!
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 09:20 PM, 07/01/2009
we could use a real power forward who can put up points and 'bounds...
Varejao is great off the bench for sparking the Big D, but not much else, and he missed a few cribs in the playoffs that would have gone a long way had the ball found the hoop
Akron, OH
Posted 09:55 PM, 07/01/2009
Andy's inability to defend and score (unless the ball was laid directly in front of the rim by LBJ) cost us a shot at the Lakers.
AK, Oh
Posted 12:35 AM, 07/02/2009
Get out while you can V.... Cleveland is doomed. Lebron and the Cavs wont get out of the first round this year (especially without you).. Mike Brown (hard headed) wont speed up the offense and Shaq will clog up the middle. Flights of the night.. Good Bye!!
Stow, OH
Posted 05:34 AM, 07/02/2009
"... Varejao has said on more than one occasion during the past year that he wants to remain with the team." If this is really so, then why declare for free agency?
Posted 01:10 PM, 07/02/2009
No one will take him at the money he is looking for. He fouled up in this free agent move.
