DeAndre Jordan Signing Opens Cavs, Clippers Trade Scenarios
Dec 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao (17) looks to pass between Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and guard Mike Conley (11) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
This is something that is unlikely for a number of reasons but fans have already asked about trading Anderson Varejao so we will check it out. Varejao is a 6’11” center who has had some very good years in the league but also missed a ton of time due to injury. In 4 of the last 5 seasons, Andy has played either 25 (twice), 26 or 31 games. Two years ago he played in 65 games, his most since 2009-10. Most of his injuries have been flukes but his most recent, an Achilles, has been a death knell to many careers.
Yet he is a competent big man who rebounds well, runs the floor and has improved his shooting out to the foul line. He is a great floor bound pick and roll partner to compliment the high flying Griffin. For the Clippers, a healthy Varejao stabilizes things at the center position. His contract is a creative one, running 3 years but only guaranteed for $4.5 million in 2016 and none of the $10 million guaranteed in 2017. He could be a trade chip after the season for the Clippers.
His injury history, specifically the most recent, would make it tough for the Clippers to pull the trigger. This would have to be a last ditch effort to make sure they had a starting level center.
For the Cavs this trade may seem easy but trading Varejao isn’t going to happen unless he is ready to retire and join our front office. LeBron James is close with Wild Thing and wants to get him a ring, something he could do for Big Z.
On the court, trading the likely seldom used Varejao for Jamal Crawford and C.J. Wilcox just makes a lot of sense. The Cavs get a player in Crawford who can create his own shot and has excelled coming off the bench. He is a little bit more stable version of J.R. Smith without the range but with far better ball handling and finishing abilities. Wilcox is thrown in to get salaries close enough to work. The 24 year old SG didn’t get much time on the court as a rookie but had the talent to be drafted in the 1st round.
How Likely? Highly unlikely from both sides for different reasons. Andy isn’t going anywhere this year for sure and likely not until he gets a ring and is ready to retire, which could be after the season.
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