CLEVELAND — Free agent Anderson Varejao, who helped Cleveland make its first NBA Finals last season, has grown so frustrated with stalled contract talks that he no longer wants to play again for the Cavaliers.
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Before training camp opened, Varejao turned down the club’s one-year, $1.2 million qualifying offer. If he had signed that deal, the former second-round pick could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
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In late October, a six-year, $52 million package loaded with incentives was presented by Fegan and rejected by the Cavs.
In his interview with ESPN.com, Varejao said reports that he has asked for $10 million to $11 million a season “aren’t true.”
Lebron is doing his best Atlas impression, lifting his team on his shoulders by putting up ungodly numbers (4 triple-doubles?!). And it’s not like Varejao was helping on any front other than the “intangible” of drawing charges (read: “how dare you run into Matt Stone like that!”). But at 8 and 6, soon to be 8 and 7 after the Celtics scorch the earth under Gund Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavs need all the help they can get. If it’s true that they’re still interested in Varejao, then I think it’s time for them to cave.
