DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Varejao on Cleveland: 'I don't want to play there anymore'

THIS HURTS. He was my favorite player after LeBron.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3128446

Last season, Anderson Varejao played a key role as the Cleveland Cavaliers won the Eastern Conference title -- he was arguably the Cavs' best young player behind LeBron James.

This season, Varejao is playing in a gym more than a thousand miles from Cleveland in Vitoria, Brazil, while the Cavs struggle to replace Varejao's defensive intensity in the middle.

What's he doing? Working on his jump hook. Trying to stay in shape. And most importantly, waiting.

Varejao is a fan favorite for his all-out hustle and curly locks.

He's waiting for the lucrative contract he thought he'd sign this offseason.

And waiting for Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry to "show me that he values my contribution to the team," Varejao told ESPN.com by phone in a rare interview.

"I just want to be treated fairly and I don't think Danny's done that."

Varejao expected to be helping the Cavs defend their East crown by now.

"I wanted to come back," he said. "I love the fans and I really love my teammates. But there are others there that have made it very difficult. It's gotten to the point that I don't want to play there anymore. I'm just hoping for a sign-and-trade at this point."

Ferry isn't ready to give up on bring Varejao back.

"We fully understand that negotiations can be emotional," Ferry told ESPN.com. "As for Anderson's potential to remain a Cavalier and put this behind us, we value his presence in this organization, on and off the court, and that has not changed."

Varejao, who turned 25 in September, was a vital part of the Cavs' run to the NBA Finals. As the Cavs' sixth man, his basic stats were modest: 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. But he led the league in drawing charges, and his energy and interior defense were invaluable to the team. His adjusted plus-minus numbers last season said he was the 22nd-best player in the league.

The question for the Cavs is, how much do you pay for those less tangible contributions?

That question has been at the heart of one of the most unusual free-agent contract squabbles in NBA history.

(One of the handful of similar cases happened when Ferry himself refused to sign with the team that drafted him, the Los Angeles Clippers, decided instead to play in Europe and eventually forced the Clippers to trade him to, yes, Cleveland.)

As of now, Varejao has been unable to get another team to sign him to an offer sheet. Because Varejao is a restricted free agent, the Cavs can match any offer he gets, and Ferry has threatened to do just that.

This summer that scared off at least one team reluctant to tie its own hands by making an offer that would ultimately result in Varejao merely returning to Cleveland.

The Memphis Grizzlies flirted with making Varejao a big offer in July, but when the Cavs threatened to match and leave Memphis empty-handed, the Grizzlies went after unrestricted free agent Darko Milicic instead.

Several other teams told ESPN.com they would have offered Varejao their full midlevel exception (starting at $5.356 million per season), but Varejao has not been willing to sign for that amount because he believes (a) the Cavs would match, and (b) he's worth more.

The Cavs' popular forward wants considerably more than the team is offering. He turned down the Cavs' one-year, $1.2 million tender offer. (To retain a restricted free agent, a team must make a tender offer.) He also refused Cleveland's opening offer of five years, $20 million, and then its latest offer of five years, $32 million, with a starting salary slightly below the midlevel exception.

But Varejao said media reports that he's asking for a contract averaging $10-11 million a season "just aren't true. There are a lot of things being written that are wrong. I know they aren't talking to me or my agent."

He said he and his agent, Dan Fegan, have been more than willing to work out a fair deal with the Cavs. Varejao said he offered to sign a one-year deal at a discount, or to sign a longer-term deal.

Varejao further said he would be willing to take the dispute to an arbitrator, for a resolution similar to those found in Major League Baseball. That would minimize the role of Fegan, who is known as a very tough bargainer.

"Much has been made about the negotiators in this process, but for the record I have been prepared since training camp to submit our differences to a third-party mediator so that both parties can be assured of more objectivity," Fegan says.

The Cavs have rejected all of those counterproposals.

Ferry says the Cavs' offer is fair.

"We believe the Cavs' offers are very much in line with what is widely perceived throughout the industry as fair market value. We have also included bonuses that would serve as upside protection for Anderson," Ferry said.

"We are working to make decisions that are best for short- and long-term interests of the organization, yet clearly stepping up and offering him long-term security at a very fair market value."

Varejao said that if the two sides can't agree on a long-term deal, they should agree on a one-year deal that allows both sides to explore their options next year.

Varejao said LeBron James is "a great teammate" who's providing him moral support from afar.

From the Cavs' point of view, a one-year deal is counterproductive because it would make Varejao an unrestricted free agent next year, and the team's right to match any offer would disappear. In that case, Varejao could just walk away.

But Fegan says that if Cleveland is willing to pay Varejao "fair market value," the Cavs would then be in the best position to sign him next year.

"It defies logic for the Cavs to accuse Anderson of demanding too much money on a long-term deal while at the same time refusing to allow Anderson to sign a one-year deal for less money, especially when they retain his Bird rights next year." Fegan said. "It begs the question: If their offer is truly fair, what are they afraid of?"

The result has been a standoff that shows no sign of ending.

On each side, the frustration level has been rising the past few weeks, as Varejao is left in limbo in Brazil, and as the Cavs have struggled coming out of the gate in training camp and the regular season.

In October, Ferry made a surprise visit to see Varejao at his parents' home in Brazil in an attempt to convince him to sign.

The move backfired.

Ferry showed up without telling Fegan, and working around an agent is a no-no in the NBA. While GMs are allowed to talk with players without an agent present, it is customary that all contract talk goes through an agent.

"I was shocked," Varejao said. "He showed up and wanted me to sign a contract. I told him he's got to talk to my agent. He didn't even up his offer. I guess he thought if he just showed up, I would just sign whatever he gave me."

Ferry walked away with no deal and with an angry free agent on his hands.

He defends his decision to appeal directly to Varejao.

"From the start of free agency, we told Anderson and his agent that the ability to communicate with him directly was going to be very important to the process," Ferry said. "The trip was done because our communication with Anderson was no longer available to us."

Since that incident, there hasn't been much trust or movement on either side.

While many around the NBA believe that Fegan is driving negotiations, Varejao says he is responsible for his own bargaining position.

"This is me, nobody else," Varejao said. "He takes the offers to me and I decide. He's told me he'll get a deal done for less. I've told him no. It's me. [The Cavs] told me how important I was to the team. I just want to be treated fairly."

Other GMs in the league, while acknowledging that Fegan is a tough negotiator, said that Ferry is equally tenacious.

One serious risk, on Ferry's side, is that the team's most important player, James, might see this impasse as another sign of the Cavs' inability to improve the team.

Varejao says that the Cavs' players support him, and that his conversations with James have been positive.

"He just says, 'We love you and we're waiting,'" Varejao said. "He keeps telling me he wants me back but to get the best deal I can and to take care of my family. He's a great teammate. He always supports us on and off the court."

That sentiment was confirmed by a source close to James, who said, "LeBron wants Andy back. He wants him to get a fair deal. I think his frustration isn't with Andy, it's with the fact that for the past two years, he's been waiting for more help and he hasn't gotten it. This is just a step in the wrong direction."

Over the past few weeks, several NBA general managers have told ESPN.com that Fegan has been searching out potential sign-and-trade deals, in which Varejao would agree to terms with another team and then be traded to that team. In recent days, there have been indications that the Cavs are open to the possibility of a sign-and-trade.

Two GMs told ESPN.com they believe Varejao would agree to a five-year, $45-million deal in a sign-and-trade, if such an offer were made.

"If that's the price, or close to it, I think Danny [Ferry] will get some offers that make sense for the Cavs," one GM said. "I'm not sure he'll get equal value, but right now he has nothing and I don't see it changing."

If Varejao leaves, it will be a bitter ending for both parties. But at this point, that might be the most workable option.

"I'm willing to go and play in Europe if that's what it takes," Varejao said. "I know it's a risk and I'll be a restricted free agent next year, but at least I'd be happy. I don't think I'll be happy in Cleveland knowing that I was [almost] the lowest-paid player there for three years and am still paid much less than players on the team that I outperform. Life's too short to be unhappy."

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

Don't pay a whole lot of attention to the NBA but this seems a simple story of a player who thinks he's worth more than everyone else does. More power to him in his negotiations but had he taken the initial 1 year offer and become an unrestricted free agent next year just exactly what does he think he would have lost? He's not make squat right now. Seems like $1.2 million is a tad more than that.

Dont like the kid anyways, makes my viewing pleasure better..

Get rid of him..

Screw that, let him sit in Brazil, see how life is there, of course with the money he made last year he is probably super wealthy in Brazil.

Sign Americans to American teams, quit globe hopping for the next great thing.

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I just want to be treated fairly and I don't think Danny's done that."

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kids this is what happens to your brain when you play with toys that contain Lead paint.....buy American

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I don't think I'll be happy in Cleveland knowing that I was [almost] the lowest-paid player there for three years and am still paid much less than players on the team that I outperform. Life's too short to be unhappy."

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This very last line of the article is the whole story... AV is upset at the amount of money that guys like Damon Jones and Larry Hughes are getting... well Anderson, the problem isn't that you make too little or that 5 years/$32million is an insult offer, the problem is that guys like Jones/Huges make WAY TOO MUCH for what they contribute... which is why they should be gone ASAP.

I see the sentiment of this article, but I'd still rather keep AV and replace Jones and Hughes... and the Cavs would be a better team.

I thought you and I agreed on everything?...

'Bout 5 times a year and the year is just about over..

One thing I got from the article... Quote from Lebron.

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"He just says, 'We love you and we're waiting,'" Varejao said. "He keeps telling me he wants me back but to get the best deal I can and to take care of my family. He's a great teammate. He always supports us on and off the court."

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Now, about AV. I don't know his situation, but I'm sorry: Making $6 million a year isn't this horrible deal you're making it out to be. He was a favorite in Cleveland, and he even says how he loves the fans, the city, and his teammates... Don't get what the fuss is all about.

great, i just bought an AV t shirt.

You know Anderson ..... you will never, ever make back the $5 million or so that you are passing up this year. Never.

If no team wanted to sign you for "fear that the Cavaliers would match" ...... yet the Cavaliers are nowhere near the numbers bandied about ..... well bud, that tells me that the other tem was stirring the pot and not serious about giving you a boatload of cash.

i love how andy is saying that he never said he was asking for 10m a year, when it's already been confirmed by his agent that it's what he was asking for...

didn't the fact that nobody offered andy anything that the cavs could even match throw up any kind of a flag?

i also love the assumption that lebron is unhappy with this situation, and the cavs situation... another load of crap... lebron knows this team cannot afford to make the mistakes they made a few years ago with larry hughes and donyell marshall... at least damon jones comes up big a few times a year... and actually through this first month, damon jones has played very well, and has done everything asked of him, i mean, give him that at least...

larry hughes and donyell marshall can't even get on the floor... it's laughable... every time you feel bad about the cavs not getting andy's situation done, just think about those 2 bums, and how much they are hurting this team financially, and within the game....

Did any other team in the NBA offer him nearly the amount of money he thinks he's worth??? I can't wait for him to get signed and then hear him say it really wasn't about the money.Screw him...he can go back and play in Brazil for all I care.

YO AV, you have to be dumber than a dunkey's arse. You were playing for a team and fans who kissed your behind 24/7 Yet you turn down millions to hold out Your IQ has to be in the single digits

Well that's his own fault in the long run when we win the finals. This kid is selfish as all get out, I mean come on, he's a sub player wanting top tier money. Who does he think he is MJ?

Varejao, if you don't want to be here then get the heck out already.

anyone not watching this game should turn it on, the cavs have looked great coming out of haltime, up by 4 right now...

drew gooden is absolutely owning kevin garnett right now...

give our frontcourt some credit, lebron, z, and gooden have played great basketball all year...

z looks so much better this year, he dropped weight, it looks like he's worked on his mid-range shot...

and you have to give a ton of credit to mike brown for getting this team to grind, without the use of all of their horses, with a selfish player refusing to sign, and without 2 overpaid players, one who constantly gets hurt, and one who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn...

I won't miss his skinny, offensively inept, flopping ass....

Good Riddance

83-81 Cavs with 7 minutes left

cavs win in overtime

what a game! this is a huge win for the cavs

lebron didn't triple double, but he did drop 38

but seriously, when drew gooden is shooting almost 75%, you're going to rock most teams... man, can he just keep up this solid play? his first few years he's always been jeckyl and hyde, and this year he is bringing it almost every night...

That was a great game! I didn't give the Cavs much of a chance against the Celtics, but they pulled through. Gooden was on fire tonight!

We need to do something when Ira Newble is our leading minute producer off the bench.

Wow, what a game, just got back from my buddies, felt like a playoff game, I know there arent many statement games in November, if any really, but man that was a nice win.

At this point, Varejao is up a creek without a paddle.

LeBron is playing out of his mind, as is Z. We've got good contributions from bench players and we sit at (9-6) just having beat Boston. We're on pace to win 49 games, have a first round playoff series and possibly make another run on LeBron's shoulders.

Next season we have a TON of tradeable assets. We have 25+ million in expiring contracts in 2008/2009, then another 24 million in 2009/2010. We can make some HUGE moves these next 2 years. We shouldn't compromise ANY of that flexibility to overpay a guy that has an inflated view of his own value. Trade him for someone who can help us.

I heard on the radio this morning that Ricky Davis of all people said that Varejao should get rid of his agent...apparently Davis had the same guy negotiating for him as well and he said he was a quote "dirty dealer" unquote. Mike Snyder of WTAM said while he thinks Davis is still a head case,he agrees with him on this subject. Would a different agent help things along? We shall see.

Reading this affirms one popular saying: Money doesn't make one happy. This guy is getting offered millions upon millions of dollars to play basketball over the next few years, but is refusing to do so because his millions upon millions aren't as much as somebody else's millions upon millions. -This proves it, money can't buy happiness because 80,000 dollars a year is a lot to me, but 5 million a year doesn't satisfy Anderson V. Unreal.

In reality, sports would probably be better off if salaries were kept between the player and the team and the league (just for cap purposes)... because you see this a lot.. XYZ player makes $4million and I'm better so I deserve more...

I don't have any idea how much the project manager in the office next to me makes and I don't care. I don't know what his salary is, I don't know how much his bonuses are, I don't even know exactly what benefits he negotiated...... I negotiated my own salary, work hard for my bonuses and raises.. and I'm happy with it... If I was to find out that he makes more than me or less than me, would that cause animosity in the office? It's likely at some point that it would....

What is the benefit of making these salaries public anyway? So know it alls like us can sit and pontificate on whether a player is worth it? Or when their contract is up? Even though there isn't a darn thing we can do about it....... Does it really benefit us in any other way?