Varejao signs offer sheet with Bobcats

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/wires/12/04/2030.ap.bkn.bobcats.varejao.0311/

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -In need of a big man, the Charlotte Bobcats reached agreement Tuesday on a three-year offer sheet with Cleveland restricted free agent Anderson Varejao, giving the Cavaliers a week to match the deal or lose him.

Financial figures were not available. Varejao's agent, Dan Fegan, could not immediately be reached.

The 6-foot-10 Varejao has been in a prolonged contract dispute with the Cavaliers, which has kept him sidelined this season. He said last week that he would prefer to be traded.

The 25-year-old Varejao averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season in helping the Cavaliers reach the NBA finals for the first time.

Bobcats coach Sam Vincent has been pleading for a big man since the beginning of the season. The Bobcats lost Sean May to season-ending knee surgery in training camp. Starting center Primoz Brezec has been ineffective and was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Jared Dudley Monday night in Toronto, the Bobcats' sixth straight loss.

Before training camp opened, Varejao turned down Cleveland's one-year, $1.2 million qualifying offer. If he had signed that deal, the former second-round pick could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

In late October, the Cavaliers rejected a six-year, $52 million package presented by Fegan.

Varejao is known for his energy and defense, and the move comes a day after Vincent questioned his team's focus and preparation following the 98-79 loss to the Raptors.

The Bobcats, with 15 guaranteed contracts, would have to release a player to add Varejao if the Cavaliers don't match the offer.

[CubanMustGo]

Good ol' Flopsalao gonna get his money one way or the other, it seems.

[spursRgay]

i hope they didn't offer him too much money...but im sure they did.

[urunobili]

good for Andy... another move that will make Lebron available after his contract ends...

[Pistons < Spurs]

In need of a big man, the Charlotte Bobcats reached agreement Tuesday on a three-year offer sheet with Cleveland restricted free agent Anderson Varejao, giving the Cavaliers a week to match the deal or lose him.

ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported the offer sheet is worth $17.4 million, which would fit the Bobcats' mid-level salary cap exception.

Varejao's agent, Dan Fegan, could not immediately be reached.

The 6-foot-10 Varejao has been in a prolonged contract dispute with the Cavaliers, which has kept him sidelined this season. He said last week that he would prefer to be traded.

"I wanted to come back," he told ESPN.com's Chad Ford last week. "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."

The 25-year-old Varejao averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season in helping the Cavaliers reach the NBA finals for the first time.

Cavs GM Danny Ferry told Ford last week that the team still wants Varejao back.

"We fully understand that negotiations can be emotional," Ferry said. "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."

Bobcats coach Sam Vincent has been pleading for a big man since the beginning of the season. The Bobcats lost Sean May to season-ending knee surgery in training camp. Starting center Primoz Brezec has been ineffective and was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Jared Dudley Monday night in Toronto, the Bobcats' sixth straight loss.

Before training camp opened, Varejao turned down Cleveland's one-year, $1.2 million qualifying offer. If he had signed that deal, the former second-round pick could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

In late October, the Cavaliers rejected a six-year, $52 million package presented by Fegan.

Varejao is known for his energy and defense, and the move comes a day after Vincent questioned his team's focus and preparation following the 98-79 loss to the Raptors.

The Bobcats, with 15 guaranteed contracts, would have to release a player to add Varejao if the Cavaliers don't match the offer.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3141032

[Hemotivo]

The Bobcats, with 15 guaranteed contracts, would have to release a player to add Varejao if the Cavaliers don't match the offer.
HERRMANN!!!?

[Medvedenko]

I like that Hermann character....but I'm surprised Vare doesn't want to play with Lebron.

[anakha]

ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported the offer sheet is worth $17.4 million, which would fit the Bobcats' mid-level salary cap exception.

If this is true, so much for the claim from Varejao's camp that he was a 9-10 million per year guy. :rolleyes

[Thunder Dan]

If this is true, so much for the claim from Varejao's camp that he was a 9-10 million per year guy. :rolleyes

He actually took less money than what thw Cavs offered him last month. They offered 3 years 20 mil, and he signed this... I think he finally saw the light.

[Bruno]

It's a 3 years MLE deal with a player option on the third year. It's a small contract and Cavs will match without a doubt.

Fegan has clearly lost the battle.

[MajorMike]

He actually took less money than what thw Cavs offered him last month. They offered 3 years 20 mil, and he signed this... I think he finally saw the light.

Actually, I thought HIS camp proposed the 3/20 deal.

[Thunder Dan]

Actually, I thought HIS camp proposed the 3/20 deal.

nope

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

It's a 3 years MLE deal with a player option on the third year. It's a small contract and Cavs will match without a doubt.

Fegan has clearly lost the battle.
That's what he gets for trying to rob a bank with a water gun. I think this board represents a pretty good cross section of NBA knowledge, from the very sharp to the borderline retarded and as far as I can remember there wasn't a single person who thought Varejao was worth anywhere close to what he wanted. I can't fathom how Andy or his agent could have even come close to believing that any GM would pony up 50+ million for a 7 and 7 energy guy. Hell, I'm not convinced that he's even worth money he's getting in this deal.

[BonnerDynasty]

It's amazing what some of these guys can make for having a recognizable name and a shitty haircut.

[MoSpur]

What Fegan wanted for Anderson is crazy. The guy has a lot of enery and hustles, but wasn't worth that much. I think the Cavs match and move on.

[ata]

What Fegan wanted for Anderson is crazy. The guy has a lot of enery and hustles, but wasn't worth that much. I think the Cavs match and move on.
To be exact - Fegan wanted his share only

[Mr. Body]

YES!!! Fegan loses! What a drag on the NBA that guy is. This is a major victory for fans everywhere.

[Obstructed_View]

It's amazing that a player would allow his agent to keep him off the court for so long. At some point you have to realize that you aren't going to get the money you're looking for. Glad they found a way to get him back on the floor.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Anderson Varejao soon will be a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers again.

According to a source close to Varejao, he has signed an offer sheet with the Charlotte Bobcats worth $11.3 million over the next two seasons with an option for a third season that could make the deal worth $17.4 million. The Cavs have not received the offer sheet, but team sources said they probably will match the offer on the restricted free agent.

The Bobcats used their $5.3 million mid-level exception to sign Varejao, so that's what the Cavs would pay him this season. Varejao signed the deal Monday in Charlotte and is expected to fly to the Los Angeles headquarters of his agent, Dan Fegan, today.

http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/12117391.html

[ducks]

I like that Hermann character....but I'm surprised Vare doesn't want to play with Lebron.
because he is a idiot

[Lp26]

Why are the Bobcats helping the Cavs? Morons.

[Darkwaters]

HERRMANN!!!?

If Herrmann came loose I would hope that the Spurs would scoop him up. But I'm not sure where we would be in line for him.

[Indazone]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3141032&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Not over for him yet. The Cavaliers have a week to match the offer. It's a great negotiating ploy by Fegan.

Cavaliers have week to match Bobcats' offer sheet
ESPN.com news services

Updated: December 4, 2007, 5:44 PM ET
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Bobcats Make an Offer to VarejaoCHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In need of a big man, the Charlotte Bobcats reached agreement Tuesday on a three-year offer sheet with Cleveland restricted free agent Anderson Varejao, giving the Cavaliers a week to match the deal or lose him.



A source close to the Cavs told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan that Cleveland plans to match the offer sheet, meaning Varajao should be back in a Cavs uniform toward the end of this week.


ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported the offer sheet is worth $17.4 million, which would fit the Bobcats' mid-level salary cap exception.

According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the offer sheet includes an opt-out clause after year two, meaning Varejao could become a free agent again in the summer of 2009.


Varejao's agent, Dan Fegan, could not immediately be reached.



The 6-foot-10 Varejao has been in a prolonged contract dispute with the Cavaliers, who had offered him a deal worth approximately $20 million over three years.





Ford's Take
This is probably the best deal either the Cavs or Varejao could get.




Varejao didn't want to sign a long-term deal that he felt was below his market value. The Cavs didn't want to overpay.



Given this deal, if Varejao is as good as he believes he is, he'll have another shot to get big money in the summer of 2009.



And if the Cavs bring Varejao back and he continues to be just a role player, the team didn't do anything to harm its long-term cap position, because Varejao will be a free agent in 2009 or 2010.



The question remains, however: Will the Cavs match?



It appears so. If the Cavs were willing to offer him a 5 year, $32 million deal, why not sign him for 3 years, $17 million?



Sure, there is bad blood between Cleveland GM Danny Ferry and Varejao's agent, Dan Fegan, because of these negotiations. But Ferry has said the Cavs want Varejao back, so expect to see him soon in Cavs wine and gold.


-- Chad Ford

"I wanted to come back," Varejao told Ford last week. "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."



The 25-year-old Varejao averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season in helping the Cavaliers reach the NBA finals for the first time.


Cavs GM Danny Ferry told Ford last week that the team still wants Varejao back.


"We fully understand that negotiations can be emotional," Ferry said. "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."



Bobcats coach Sam Vincent has been pleading for a big man since the beginning of the season. The Bobcats lost Sean May to season-ending knee surgery in training camp.



Starting center Primoz Brezec has been ineffective and was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Jared Dudley Monday night in Toronto, the Bobcats' sixth straight loss.



Before training camp opened, Varejao turned down Cleveland's one-year, $1.2 million qualifying offer. If he had signed that deal, the former second-round pick could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.



In late October, the Cavaliers rejected a six-year, $52 million package presented by Fegan.



The sides last spoke over the weekend and were considering having another meeting, but Bobcats then stepped in with their offer sheet and Varejao's side decided to sign it.



Varejao is known for his energy and defense, and the move comes a day after Vincent questioned his team's focus and preparation following the 98-79 loss to the Raptors.



The Bobcats, with 15 guaranteed contracts, would have to release a player to add Varejao if the Cavaliers don't match the offer.



ESPN Insiders Chad Ford and Chris Sheridan,

[Obstructed_View]

Why are the Bobcats helping the Cavs? Morons.
Watch this space for a future favor from Fegan to Charlotte.

[mystargtr34]

Im sick of hearing about this clown

[ElNono]

So he's getting less than what the Cavs offered a while ago (3yr/17m vs 3yr/20m).
I gather Fegan realized his client had to head back to Europe, and truly realized what's Varejao market value. Way to go Dan!

[BobcatsDynasty]

If Cleveland doesn't match, then Varejao is the missing piece to put Charlotte over the top. They've lost a lot of fluke games this year, and that won't happen anymore.

If the Cavs do match, well Varejao is just an overhyped fluke player, we don't need him.

[Extra Stout]

Not over for him yet. The Cavaliers have a week to match the offer. It's a great negotiating ploy by Fegan.
Great negotiating ploy? What? Varejao just signed an offer sheet for less than what the Cavs were offering months ago, and for about 40% less than Fegan was trying to get. Fegan just got his ass handed to him. It's a great negotiating ploy in the same way that Napoleon's invasion of Russia was great strategy.

[eisfeld]

Cleveland matched the offer

Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3142432)

[some_user86]

Weird that Bucher thinks that this is a win for Varejao.

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&page=varejaobucher-071205

Can't say that I agree with his assessment. The overhyped idiot got a deal that was worth exactly near what the Cavs thought his deal should be.

[BacktoBasics]

It does make it easier to sign and trade him with that type of a contract vs. the absurd deal he was originally after.

[PM5K]

So if the Cats really did want to add a big man to their team, who do they go after now?

[Thunder Dan]

Here is a article that breaks alot of it down (basically just talks about how Bumb Varejao is) From the Cleveland Plain Dealer


What was the point?

That's what I keep thinking about the final chapter of Anderson Varejao's contract spat with the Cavaliers. Let's keep it as simple as 1-2-3. Here were some of Varejao's goals:

1. Sign a deal worth at least $9 million annually.

2. If that didn't work, become an unrestricted free agent after one year.

3. Finally, a desperate Varejao said he didn't want to play for the Cavaliers any more; he wanted a sign-and-trade deal.

What happened?

1. He's back with the Cavaliers for less money than they offered him. Charlotte's offer sheet is $17 million for three years. The Cavs offered him $20 million for three years, or close to $35 million for five years.

2. He can get out of the new deal after two seasons with $11 million total. That's his only "victory."

3. After matching the offer sheet from Charlotte Wednesday, the Cavs can't trade him for 90 days, according to NBA rules. That means he's with the team for this season.

So what did Varejao get out of this?

1. A lot of bad will by lashing out of some of teammates, saying that they're overpaid ... he's underpaid ... and life is not fair.

2. Varejao told ESPN.com that he didn't want to play here anymore. He sounded as if he were pouting, and some fans wondered why he had issues with the Eastern Conference championship team and playing with LeBron James.

3. He's been in the NBA for three years and his scoring averages are 4.9, 4.6 and 6.8. His rebounding averages are 4.8, 4.9 and 6.7. For his career, it's 5.6 points, 5.7 rebounds. He's a role player, and he's now being paid like it.

Why did Varejao suddenly become so focused on leaving the Cavs?

1. His agent convinced him that offers in the $20 million and $35 million range were disrespectful.

2. His agent reminded Varejao that he's "the lowest paid player on the team." At $900,000 last season, he was a bargain, but not the lowest paid. And his payday was coming soon.

3. His agent talked about various big stiffs making close to $10 million. But they became unrestricted free agents. Under NBA rules, Varejao could have played this season for $1.2 million and signed with any team next summer without the Cavs being able to match. He didn't want to take the risk.

What were the agendas?

1. His agent is Dan Fagen, who sees himself as the NBA's Scott Boras. He hates restricted free agency and wants to challenge it. You can do that with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, impact players. But if you sit out a defensive specialist with marginal offensive skills, the league will be content to let your guy sit. Fagen picked the wrong guy to make his point.

2. Varejao is like most of us. We always see the people producing less and being paid more than us, and he focused on that. But it skewed his view of reality.

3. The Cavs were not about to pay this guy like an All-Star at nearly $10 million a year, nor did they want him to walk away after one season.

So where does that leave us?

1. The Cavs need a big guy, and Varejao is back.

2. The Cavs will be a better team because Varejao is effective, especially playing with James -- and his contract is extremely reasonable.

3. Varejao will be happy to be playing again, but he has to be asking himself, "Was all this worth it?" Sure doesn't seem like it.

[Mr. Body]

Piss on Dan Fagen. I laugh at Dan Fagen.