Anderson Varejao signs extension with Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers made sure to keep one of their key role players on the team's roster for the next few seasons, as center Anderson Varejao signed a multi-year contract extension, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced.  Other outlets have reported that the deal is worth approximately $10 million per year for the next two seasons, with a third non-guaranteed year.

“Anderson represents how this franchise wants to approach the game of basketball, both on the court and off,” said Griffin. “He has been a key part of our foundation for years and we are very happy that he will continue to be part of our Cavs family as we work towards our goals at the highest level. Andy is, and has been, a tireless worker, an incredible teammate and a great competitor that plays with a rare combination of energy and intensity that makes him truly special.”

Varejao is a solid defensive big who is known for his hustle and willingness to battle on the glass.  He has had to struggle with injuries in recent seasons.

Varejao, who is in his 11th season, has spent his entire NBA career with the Cavaliers, appearing in 535 games (183 starts) with averages of 7.8 points on .512 shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 steals in 25.9 minutes.

In many ways, his career has come full circle, as he has lived through the winning LeBron years, then suffered through the post-LeBron "Decision" years, and now is ready to once more compete in the postseason with LeBron's return to the Cavs.

Among franchise leaders, Varejao ranks third in offensive rebounds (1,401), fourth in total rebounds (4,177), fifth in defensive rebounds (2,776), eighth in steals (500), eighth in blocks (377), eighth in field goal percentage (.512) and ninth in games played (535). He is just one of only four players in Cavaliers history with at least 4,000 points and 4,000 rebounds, joining Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Brad Daugherty and John Williams.

Varejao has notched 88 double-doubles over his career and has pulled down at least 7.0 rebounds in seven straight seasons, including 9.0 rebounds in each of the past four campaigns.

Last season, the Brazilian native appeared in 65 games (29 starts) for Cleveland and averaged 8.4 points on .495 shooting, a team-high 9.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.7 minutes per game. Varejao matched his career high with 16 double-doubles in 2013-14, while recording at least 10 rebounds 30 times, including a pair of 20-rebound performances.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services