Bizarro Joakim Noah (Anderson Varejao) may be heading back to the United States sooner than anticipated. After terrible contract negotiations between Varejao, his agent (Dan Fegan), and Cleveland Cavaliers GM, Danny Ferry, Varejao looks to end up back with Cavs for at least the next two years. Last week, I covered the Varejao case and looked at some of the reasons behind Varejao’s hesitance to sign a deal with the Cavs [Where In The World Is Anderson Varejao?]. Things have not cleared up between Varejao/Fegan and Ferry, yet Ferry will probably end up getting his player at what Varejao considers to be a value buy.
The Charlotte Bobcats have some big time problems at the center/forward position. They need someone like Varejao and have offered him a three year deal with the option to opt out after two years, for a total value of $17.4 million [Cavaliers have week to match Bobcats’ offer sheet]. The Cavs have a week to match that offer and bring Varejao back to aid LeBron James and crew in their effort to return to the Finals. It seems like Ferry is interested in doing just that. Interestingly, the Cavs offered him more money in their proposed three year contract, however, that contract may not have had the option to opt out after two years.
The Bobcats won’t be happy that the Cavs are going to match their offer. Hopefully someone comes out happy from this all, though. Varejao will be able to leave Cleveland after two years if he is still upset with management, and Ferry will hopefully get someone that can step in immediately and give the Cavs that extra boost they need to have any chance competing against the Eastern leading Celtics.
-Darren Heitner
