Cavaliers reach deal to retain Varejao

By M.R. KROPKO
Associated Press
2009-07-10 05:06 AM

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FILE -- In this May 22, 2009 file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao (17) from Brazil, and Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat, from Poland, battle under the basket in the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Anderson Varejao reportedly have agreed on a six-year contract that could be worth as much as $50 million. Agent Dan Fegan told The Plain Dealer late Wednesday that the club and Varejao have agreed on a new contract. The team would not confirm the report Thursday morning July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

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FILE -- In this May 16, 2008 file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao, from Brazil, celebrates after a basket against the Boston Celtics in the third quarter of Game 6 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Anderson Varejao reportedly have agreed on a six-year contract that could be worth as much as $50 million. Agent Dan Fegan told The Plain Dealer late Wednesday that the club and Varejao have agreed on a new contract. The team would not confirm the report Thursday morning July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Associated Press

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Anderson Varejao _ the energetic big man with long, curly hair known to the team's fans as "Wild Thing" _ agreed on a multiyear contract on Thursday.

Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry announced the signing, though terms were not disclosed. The 2.11-meter (6-foot-11) center/forward from Brazil has played five years in the NBA, all with the Cavaliers.

Agent Dan Fegan told The Plain Dealer newspaper that the club and Varejao agreed on a six-year contract worth up to $50 million. Fegan did not return messages from The Associated Press.

Ferry said that after Varejao did not exercise his option on a $6.2 million contract for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent, both sides wanted to reach a new deal to keep him with the Cavaliers.

"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 and 8.6 points per game as the Cavaliers 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 on June 25 to acquire center Shaquille O'Neal from the Phoenix Suns.

"Andy wanted to stay in Cleveland," Fegan told The Plain Dealer. "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 was a sign that any previous animosity between the player and Cavaliers management was no long an issue. The two sides bickered over a contract in 2007, and Varejao 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.