Varejao's New Contract a Head-Scratcher

This is going to put Danny Ferry way behind in the 2009-10 Executive of the Year race.

Certainly he didn't just re-sign Anderson Varejao, the limited power forward, for six years and up to $50 million.

But apparently that's what he did, according to Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. And in the meantime, Dan Fegan is the early leader in the clubhouse for best performance by an agent in the offseason.

Apparently there was interest in Varejao from Portland and Oklahoma City, and rightfully so. Varejao is a solid role player, a dirty work guy and hard-fouler who understands how he can be most effective. He's gotten better since coming into the league.

But he doesn't have much on offense, and he likely never will. He can be a conscientious defender, but the league and officials seem to be onto his disingenuous flopping. He's a solid rebounder but an infrequent shot-blocker.

He's a very nice role player, and he's pretty young at 26. And apparently, that gets you $50 million these days. (Update: ESPN's Chad Ford has more details, saying the final year is only partially guaranteed and that $7.5 million must be earned through undisclosed incentives.)

This is the Corey Maggette signing of the summer of 2009. Remember, it was last year that Maggette was a free agent and there were no teams willing to offer him more than the mid-level.

The Warriors offered him upwards of $10 million per, and that was that. It's not that Maggette doesn't have worth. He does. But he doesn't have that much worth, and neither does Varejao.

And what happens in that situation is that it becomes hard to separate the player from the contract ... and that's never good for either side.

Congratulations to Danny Ferry for putting together a team that has a legitimate chance at a title in 2010. Hopefully, he'll get it, because this signing is going to smart for a while.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-09-2009 @ 2:05AM

Giles said...

Maybe it is a sign and trade, to add more wing shooters with size, sending Varajo to a team that wants a small center with pretty, jiggly, hair.

7-09-2009 @ 2:48AM

Mr.G said...

Giles, God I hope you're right, cuz I'm a Cavs fan and this is completely insane.

7-09-2009 @ 8:03AM

FLOW said...

Damn, Danny Ferry needs his head exmined. After this stupid move, no way they keep Lebron.

7-09-2009 @ 8:39AM

wjenkins52 said...

What?! you may as well signed Iverson if you were going to do something that crazy

7-09-2009 @ 8:51AM

Jim said...

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse than that dunce Shapiro signing Travis (UGH) Hafner thru 2012 at 57 million for 4 years Danny Ferry blows Shapiro out of the water. Andy is a mid level exception player AT BEST. It stinks being in Cleveland around all this idiocy. This will weigh down Cavs for many years.

7-09-2009 @ 9:17AM

Live,Love,Life said...

Ferry needs to be shown the door, for that amount of money for someone who all he really does is flop??? SERIOUSLY!!!!

7-09-2009 @ 9:42AM

Buddies said...

I'm glad you Cavs fans are so outraged because this is basically extending his old deal. If you're freaking out now, why weren't you freaking out last season? His deal averages just over $7 million. Even if you think that's too much, acting outraged is just people trying to look smart.

7-09-2009 @ 9:49AM

We're upset because we could have gotten a better player for less. Plus it's a longterm contract and who wants to be stuck with Varejao long term Plus it leaves less money and less incentive for Lebron to stick around because you're committing to an inferior talent. Just because he was making a certain amount before does'nt mean he should get to extend it once you see that he's not that good.

7-09-2009 @ 10:03AM

Could you be specific on who you think we could have gotten? Charlie Villanueva is NOT better than Anderson Varejao. We can't sign anyone who we don't already have to a contract above the mid-level...isn't there something to be said for continuity? It almost seems sad to me that Cavs fans are now completely neglecting to remember Varejao's value to this team. Frankly, I'm happy to have him long-term. He's versatile, he's a good defender and high effort, his game fits this team, he rarely gets hurt, and his agent is an a-hole so now we don't have to negotiate with him for a while.

7-09-2009 @ 10:06AM

Mike said...

He fits a big role with the Cavs and LeBron loves the guy. Andy will defer as much $$$ as he can to help keep LeBron right there in Cleveland. You can always write up a new contract. Andy will play much bigger next year with Shaq daddy inside. Iverson, Wallace, Artest, they all have problems and just watch them when things do not go just perfect for them. It will blow over to the teams they are on. Artest and Kobe getting along with each other day after day??,,,,,please. I was actually hoping the Cavs would also get Brandon Bass, another like Varejao who just does their job and keeps quiet. Bass would put the Cavs in the drivers seat for the title.

7-09-2009 @ 10:24AM

In response to Buddies:
Zaza Pachulia- a hardnosed banger
Brandon Bass-Athletic, young, strong and a shooter
Maybe Lamar Odom-similar Price
With the incentives, he's making alomst as much as Hedo Turkoglu, much more than Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom and numerous established players. It's not about liking him, it's about paying him what he's worth and saving space for future signings.

7-09-2009 @ 10:38AM

Where do you get "almost?" How close is $7 million to $10 million? Their contracts aren't really that close. I know that we all think everyone else's players are great and ours aren't any good, but don't undervalue what he gives to our team. If he is being overpaid, it's not enough to cry about.

7-09-2009 @ 10:44AM

With incentives, it's closer to 9 million, you need to read the story...and expressing an opinion is not "crying" about anything. Don't disrespect people because they have an opposing opinion, stick to the topic and it's all good.

7-09-2009 @ 11:08AM

Brian said...

I love the signing. Anderson has always been an important player with the cavs. Everyone talkin about Ferry needs to get his head check. I dissagree. It was a move that was needed to be done. Andy has improved each yr. With the exception to the 07-08 season where he only played 48 gms. I dont know a player on that roster that gets them more 2nd chance points than he does. And has quick feet for a guy his size. Allowing him to get out in front of defenders and draw charging calls. Call it a flop if you want. But as a CAVS fan, he gets the job done. The city loves him and his HAIR!!! A with the new cap, i dout Lebron goes anywhere. He wont have and oppurtunity like this anywhere else.

With all the incentives, it is $8.3 million per. People on these boards are most definitely crying. If you guys think this is the deal that is going to kill us, I really think that is an insane opinion.

7-09-2009 @ 1:49PM

grahambam007 said...

Anderson Varejao is the biggest waste of money. He sucks balls

7-09-2009 @ 3:06PM

dodgerbloo15 said...

Buddies, Mike and Brian,

Thanks for being level-headed intelligent posters, something I'm quickly learning that this site lacks. Anderson Varejao is 26 years old. He's continually been a top five player in charges drawn and he brings energy and chaos defensively that is absolutely necessary for the Cavs. I know Cleveland fans love them some Lebron James, but in spite of what they may believe, he isn't the only reason the Cavs won 66 games last year.

Andy was a key component to the Cavs being an elite defensive team. He's arguably the best pick and roll defending power forward in the league, an excellent help defender and though he might lack polish to his offensive game, he's sneaky with his ability to make shots inside (especially off of Lebron dimes). Replacing him with Lamar Odom does not help the Cavs because his skill set is too similar to Lebron's. Not only that, but defense is one thing that Andy brings consistently. Odom is the polar opposite of consistency.

It's unfortunate that FLOW believes Zaza Pachulia would have been a better option. First, Zaza's really a center. Second, while he's tough and gritty, Andy's by far the better overall player. But I guess the grass is always greener...even if your looking at the Atlanta Hawks' back yard.

As for Bass, he's good offensively, and could work with Shaq if that jumper he showed off in the playoffs is legit, but he's nowhere near the defensive player Andy is.

It's really a tragedy that Andy didn't make the second team all defense this year. Actually, it's really a tragedy that so many supposed Cavs fans can't see the importance of one of their best players.

7-09-2009 @ 4:04PM

jim said...

i think AV was a great signing.....LeBron loves the guy....Shaq will take less of a beating with AV around. it makes us a stronger team. i think Ferry is doing a great job at making us a better team. I wish the Browns and the Indians would take note.....and maybe just maybe we would become more then the mistake on the lake