Cleveland Cavaliers Need To Bring Back Anderson Varejao
Anderson Varejao is beloved in the city of Cleveland. What if the popular big man makes an NBA comeback? Would he fit in with the Cleveland Cavaliers? There’s only one way to find out.
Let’s say Varejao finds himself back in the NBA. The only team that makes sense for him is the Cavaliers. Not only does he still own a home in Cleveland, the team could also use him desperately. With uncertainty in the frontcourt, Wild Thing would be a big boost to the roster.
On paper, the Cavs have big man depth. They roster Tristan Thompson, Ante Zizic, John Henson, Larry Nance Jr., and Kevin Love. All are able to handle the 4 and 5. However, injuries can be an issue to this core. Not to mention, Cavaliers GM, Koby Altman, is reportedly looking to trade Love, Thompson, and Henson. There could be an open spot on the roster very soon.
Why not sign Anderson Varejao to a contract? He played well for Team Brazil at the FIBA World Championships. Not only can he provide depth to the roster, but Varejao can also mentor the young guys. At 37, he’s seen his fair share of happenings in the league.
I’d not expect Varejao to get major minutes with the team. Again, his age might prevent him from the rigors of a prominent role during the long NBA season. Still, as a body to have in practice and the veteran leadership he’d bring, you could do a lot worse.
It’d be unlikely to tell how much longer Varejao can go. Would this be a one-season type deal, or does he stick around for a few seasons? Ideally, this would be a multi-year deal. The Cavs will look towards getting some young bigs in the draft, so keep Varejao around for that. At the very least, he can become an assistant coach/player.
Impact on the court aside, Anderson Varejao would help boost interest in the team. As mentioned before, Cleveland adores Varejao. For a team that lacks a lot of the fan support they had 2 years ago, bringing in a fan favorite from the past might help boost attendance. The Cavaliers had Varejao wig nights, and his jersey was a popular one around the Q.
There’s much to gain from Anderson Varejao coming back to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He would provide depth and leadership in the frontcourt. The fans would love to have him back as well. If you’re Altman, go after the big man from Brazil.
Image Source: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
