Anderson Varejao Possible Trade Watch

[Carl Herrera]

http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/jaso...ision-1.354617

The decision whether to trade or keep Anderson Varejao not only will alter the Cavs’ future, but it also could easily shift the balance of power across the NBA this season. “They could be the key this year,” one league executive said of the Cavs, referring to the trade deadline. “If he’s available, it goes without saying a lot of teams will want in. He would be the top target.” Now in his ninth season, Varejao is easily off to the best start of his career. He entered Saturday with a string of seven consecutive double-doubles, finishing each with at least 10 points, 15 rebounds and five offensive rebounds. The NBA hasn’t witnessed a run of production like this since Moses Malone. Charles Barkley called Varejao the best forward in the NBA behind LeBron James, which of course is intriguing because Varejao has only blossomed since James’ departure. But more on that in a minute. With all that production, with Varejao posting the type of numbers this league hasn’t seen in 30 years, how could the Cavaliers possibly trade him now? Because it still might be the right thing to do.

Since the Cavs began this rebuilding project, the lingering question was when they would trade Varejao. General Manager Chris Grant has insisted for two years he wasn’t trading Varejao for a few reasons, particularly because of his team-friendly contract and the fact the Cavs had no one on the roster who could replace him. Once the team drafted Tyler Zeller over the summer, the question of who would replace Varejao was answered. The Cavs believe Zeller, in time, can produce numbers similar to what Varejao is putting up now. Zeller already has the athleticism and range, he just doesn’t quite have that same knack for rebounding yet. With Zeller in the fold, sources say the Cavs came to grips with the idea that now might be the time to trade Varejao. He still has two years left on his deal, totaling about $19 million. The belief was if he got off to a strong start and stayed healthy — always a key for him — his value may never be higher. Only now it might be too high. It will be difficult for the Cavs to get fair market value for Varejao, particularly since any draft pick they acquire would be low since it would come from a contender. The Oklahoma City Thunder hold the rights to the Toronto Raptors’ first-round pick next summer (top three protected), which should be an appealing pick given the Raptors’ struggles, but the Thunder aren’t pursuing Varejao. He would be deadly playing alongside Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins, but no one polled thought the Thunder would meet the Cavs’ demands — which just might include Ibaka. If the Cavs deal Varejao, they want young talent with high upside in return. They’d be willing to dip into their plethora of upcoming draft picks to sweeten the deal, but it would have to be an elite-level talent.

Thoughts on who might offer what for him? Was thinking OKC could be a fit but this article says they are not in pursuit (which may or may not be right).


My "random Rockets trade idea" would be something like TJones, Pat and Morris for Varejao and Casspi.

[LC Rox Fan]

Best rebounding team in the NBA we would become

[hooroo]

Originally Posted by LC Rox Fan Best rebounding team in the NBA we would become

on paper only, because with varejao, it's only a matter of when he will be injured.

[Deckard]

He can't stay healthy. It's a damn shame, but there it is. Keeps getting injured and he's 30. Someone will take a chance on him, but I hope it isn't the Rockets. Been there, done that.

[J Sizzle]

While he's playing great, he's simply not somebody we should want or need at this point in time.

We are clearly rebuilding and trying to develop our youth. Patterson is having a bit of a coming out party lately, and to trade him away for an aging 30 year old in Varejao when our team isn't close to competitive for a title, it just doesn't make any sense.

Not to mention giving up 2 other quality prospects in Jones and Morris (also one of more reliable bench players) is an even steeper price to pay.

It just isn't something the Rockets should do, nor do I think they will do it.

Having said that, if a team like the Lakers, Thunder, Spurs, or any other contender make a move for them, that'd be a great deal. He's a seriously solid player.

[AFS]

Hope it's not us, but I'd like to see the Cavs pick up some youth/draft picks for him.

[rocketsballin]

do not want. we need to let our players grow. unless its a huge trade we shouldnt mess with the roster.

[VBG]

I would give up Patterson and one of Jones/D-Mo/Marcus Morris for Andy

[jtr]

Varejao is on a tear. He is so far from his career averages right now he has got to come back to earth. Never buy High.

[bleedrockets]

Originally Posted by hooroo on paper only, because with varejao, it's only a matter of when he will be injured.

Haters Gon' Hate!!!!! j/k

[bleedrockets]

Originally Posted by J Sizzle While he's playing great, he's simply not somebody we should want or need at this point in time. We are clearly rebuilding and trying to develop our youth. Patterson is having a bit of a coming out party lately, and to trade him away for an aging 30 year old in Varejao when our team isn't close to competitive for a title, it just doesn't make any sense. Not to mention giving up 2 other quality prospects in Jones and Morris (also one of more reliable bench players) is an even steeper price to pay. It just isn't something the Rockets should do, nor do I think they will do it. Having said that, if a team like the Lakers, Thunder, Spurs, or any other contender make a move for them, that'd be a great deal. He's a seriously solid player.

Dan Gilbert will never trade with a big market team like the Fakers....I always wanted sideshow bob here

[Air Langhi]

Originally Posted by VBG I would give up Patterson and one of Jones/D-Mo/Marcus Morris for Andy

Yeah and the Cavs would take a few minutes to stop laughing and then hang up on you.

[VBG]

Originally Posted by Air Langhi Yeah and the Cavs would take a few minutes to stop laughing and then hang up on you.

Yeah, so basically I wouldn't do the trade unless it was a robbery. And weirder trades have happened in NBA history

[Lakersuk]

Originally Posted by LC Rox Fan Best rebounding team in the NBA we would become

yoda? is that you?

[shayan]

Originally Posted by jtr Varejao is on a tear. He is so far from his career averages right now he has got to come back to earth. Never buy High.

LOL!!

[johnstarks]

I'd rather have either a stretch 4 to help with spacing or a legit offensive post player that can hit the 17footer. We already have Omer who can board, get garbage buckets, and play great D. Varejao would be too much of the same thing down low.

[Ming The King]

We should have taken zeller with the #16.

[jvu]

Marcus Morris for varejao. Deal.

[Dreamin]

They would be silly to trade him at point, especially with the shortage of quality bigs.

[OremLK]

Originally Posted by johnstarks I'd rather have either a stretch 4 to help with spacing or a legit offensive post player that can hit the 17footer. We already have Omer who can board, get garbage buckets, and play great D. Varejao would be too much of the same thing down low.

It might work out if you kind of stagger their minutes so they only play about 15 minutes a game together. Neither of them are 35mpg type guys, Cleveland is crazy to be playing Varejao as much as they are, just asking for another injury.