Cleveland Cavaliers News: Anderson Varejao Nearing 3-Year $30M Contract Extension

Brazilian center Anderson Varejao is set to sign a contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $30 million over three years.

The development was tweeted by NBA insider Marc Stein of ESPN.COM.

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

The reported deal is not surprising considering Varejao is one of the closest teammates of superstar LeBron James, who was reacquired by the team via free agency in the 2014 offseason. However, the probable extension is already being met with criticisms by Cleveland fans owing to the 32-year-old big man’s injury problems.

Varejao has missed considerable time on the court due to various injuries playing in just 31, 25, 25, 65 games in each of the past four seasons. That totals to 166 missed games out 312 possible outings from 2010 to 2014.

Still, the veteran is considered one of the key players in the current line-up of the Cavaliers in the 2014-2015 NBA Season and beyond. Aside from power forwards Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, Cleveland has no other reliable big man in the line-up and Varejao, if and when healthy, is the best low-post defender for the squad.

Varejao was also key during LeBron James’ first stint with the team from 2004 to 2010 proving a bruising presence in the paint and energy especially on the defensive end. The last season he teamed-up with LeBron James, in the 2009-2010 season, Varejao averaged 8.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game.

Varejao’s style of play appears to be fit alongside new Cavalier Kevin Love, who is known for his shooting prowess. With chemistry with LeBron James already established in the past, it looks like the $10M per year deal for the next three years is a good deal for both sides.