Cleveland Cavaliers Winning Battle Against Anderson Varejao, Could Lose War For LeBron James

November 07 07

Marty Burns of CNNSI.com explains why Cleveland had no interest in Anderson Varejao’s one eyar, five million dollar offer:

But the Cavs apparently have no interest. By signing Varejao to a one-year deal now, he would have the right to walk away as an unrestricted free agent next summer and leave Cleveland with nothing to show for it. The Cavs were burned by Carlos Boozer a few years ago, and might be fearful of a repeat of that situation.
In addition, if the Cavs sign Varejao to a one-year deal, they would lose the ability to trade him this season.

My Quick Take: Win the battle, lose the war. That’s how things could shape up for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Eastern Conference champs are trying to outwait Anderson Varejao, hoping he’ll fold and sign a multi-year deal. He is a restricted free agent and an indefinite holdout won’t change his status as Cleveland’s property.

The Cavs hold all the cards. They’ll win the battle and eventually ink their pesky forward to a new contract.

LeBron James, Cleveland’s superstar, has been following negotiations. A few weeks back, he even complained publicly about Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic being unsigned.

"We are missing two key guys right now and we can’t afford to waste much time," he said. "They’re very important to our team."

Pavlovic, of course, recently scored a new contract. But the real issue is James’ future. Can the Cavaliers win the war and convince him to stay in Cleveland long-term?

In this negotiation, the shoe is very much on the other foot. James not only holds all the cards, but the game, deck, dealer, and casino are all stacked in his favor.

Following the 2009-2010 season, the King can exercise an early opt-out clause and become an unrestricted free agent. He could then sign with any NBA team. The Cavaliers would get nothing in return.

This will become an issue. Consider how Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant’s opt-out clauses have changed the NBA landscape.

James’ situation is no different. Surrounding him with a poor supporting cast could force him to bolt town. The Cavaliers must be careful. Varejao is one of James’ favorite teammates, so a prolonged negotiation would leave a bad taste in their superstar’s mouth.

Winning the battle against Varejao could contribute to losing the war for James. Is it worth it?

Should the Cavs appease James and sign Varejao long-term? Get at us in the comment below with your thoughts.

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14 Comments: Cleveland Cavaliers Winning Battle Against Anderson Varejao, (...)

Posted by
Bubba Bass
on 11.22.2007

Simple. Sign him and trade him to the Pacers in a multi person deal (maybe that stiff newble included as well as Larry Hughes) for Jermain Oneil. Lebron deserves a superstar inside to compliment him. .

Posted by
tmurda2240
on 11.20.2007

lol@ this article.... Just more of the media trying to get lebron in a big market. NOT happening. He loves it here. Hmmm.... would james be more mad if we didn’t sign av this year or would he be even more upset if we completely f**ked up our salary cap by signing av this year and couldn’t sign an impact free agent next season or the next? We smart fans know the answer. .

Posted by
johnbny
on 11.17.2007

The cavs have had the toughest schedule by far and are still 5 and 5. None of you doubters know what your talking about. I don’t understand why you are so hard on the cavs. All they need is a pg like dan dickau. And we would be set. .

Posted by
Enlightened
on 11.9.2007

Dumbfux, LeBron single-handedly powered his team into the NBA finals. He was a one man show. He will only shock, awe and dominate as he becomes more mature. Kobe (like the watered down high-yellow tea he was named after) is as aggressive and dominant as a mellow fart in strong wind. .

Posted by

on 11.8.2007

To the Moron below, Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league by far.The only upside is Lechoke James is a lot younger. .

Posted by

on 11.8.2007

sorry dips---the best player in the league is still Kobe by far. .

Posted by
DALE31
on 11.8.2007

There is an old saying "PENNYWISE AND POUND FOOLISH." The Cavs have the best player in the NBA. LBJ signed a shorter term contract to make sure the Cavs ownership privides him with a supporting cast to win an NBA championship. LBJ has done his part by being the superstar that he is. Now, it is time for Cavs ownership to provide LBJ with the one missing piece to win the NBA championship. Sign Anderson to one year. Next year drop off all of your excess baggage and free up money to get a first rate player to play with LBJ and win a title. After LBJ wins a title in cleveland...He may decide to stay home and not be lured to bigger markets like New York. BIG DEAL...Pay the Luxury Tax! With LBJ in Cleveland...they are winning games and they are sold out and their merchandise is moving all over the world. Before LBJ was in Cleveland...How many t-shirts and hats did you sell? With LBJ you probably sold 10 times the amount. DON’T BE PENNY-WISE AND POUND FOOLISH. GET LBJ WHAT HE NEEDS TO WIN A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND TO KEEP HIM IN CLEVELAND. .

Posted by
nolimitsportsline.com
on 11.7.2007

Very interesting article although with the cavs calary cap and payroll who cares what Andy wants you can not pay a number 6 guy big money with the contracts of Larry Hughes, Z, and Gooden. You can not take a chance on a guy that runs around and acts goofy and draws an occasional charge. Or for that matter complains about a blocking fall that he just .

Posted by

on 11.7.2007

Varajao is not the dealbreaker. The dealbreaker comes down to one thing: can the Cavs put together a team that will win? They have three years to get it done. Things move fast in the NBA. Witness Boston. All y’all think that you can predict what the Cavs will do. But how many predicted their finals appearance? How many even predicted game 5 against Detroit? .

Posted by

on 11.7.2007

Cavs are going down, baby .

Posted by
masonjoussa
on 11.7.2007

Cavs in the finals what a fluke james has a teriible suporting cast and if anderson is the teamate he wants so bad it says a lil something about where this team is at. James should have much higher satnderds wich i belive he does but the cavs have not givien him anything not even a freaking pointguard. I hope they do not sighn anderson and i hope james does opt out in 09 10 season and get to a team that better fits his style of play .

Posted by
jefferyb
on 11.7.2007

Give me a break! What is going to leave a bad taste in Lebrons mouth? A delayed contract resolution or the inability to sign a big time player because they gave a guy averaging 6pts and 6 rbs a huge contract or a one yr contract in which he walked away after a yr. ?? .

Posted by

on 11.7.2007

Cavs are terrible, Expect leBron to bounce elsewehere and soon! .

Posted by
b4hoops.blogspot.com
on 11.7.2007

LeBron will probably leave town one way or the other. A star like him just can’t reach his star potential, mostly off the court, playing in Cleveland. .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Cleveland Cavaliers Winning Battle Against Anderson Varejao, Could Lose War For LeBron James

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