In a follow-up to a story from earlier this week, the Cleveland Cavaliers and veteran forward Anderson Varejao are nearing an extension that will pay him $30 million over three years beginning next season.
The update was first reported by ESPN’s Marc Stein, with the length of the proposed contract virtually guaranteeing that Varejao will be able to conclude his NBA career as it began—in a Cavalier uniform.
Here in Cleveland today, ESPN sources say Cavs & Anderson Varejao nearing agreement on three-year extension believed to be worth $30 million
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 30, 2014
Set to begin his 11th year with the team, Varejao will make at least $9.7 million for the upcoming campaign. That will be the final year of a six-year pact he signed in July 2009. The length of that deal gave him the opportunity to earn as much $47.9 million, including incentives.
Varejao, who maintained a close relationship with returning superstar LeBron James during the four years that James played for the Miami Heat, has battled injury woes in recent years. Those maladies included knee and ankle injuries, with those factors attributed to Varejao’s aggressive style of play, especially in the paint and on the defensive side of the ball.
For his career, Varejao has averaged both 7.8 points and rebounds per game. Last year, he grabbed just under 10 boards per game while contributing 8.4. points for a Cavaliers team that finished with a 33-49 record.
Varejao and the Cavaliers begin their season tonight in a nationally televised home matchup against the New York Knicks, with TNT coverage set to get underway at 8 p.m. Eastern.
The post Cavs Rumors: Cavaliers and Varejao Nearing Extension appeared first on Cavs Nation.
