NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Anderson Varejao and More Players on Block
The NBA season is just a week from tipping-off, but there is still plenty of talk about potential deals that could go down at some point before or at the March trade deadline.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest rumors and speculation from around the league on who might be packing their bags and relocating to a new franchise in the near future.
Anderson Varejao
The Brazilian big man has been solid during his career with the Cavaliers, but rookie Tyler Zeller may make him expendable. Varejao is set to make $8.4 million this year and $9.1 in 2013-14, with a team option for $9.8 that has to be exercised by the summer of 2014.
That’s quite a bit of money for a 30-year-old PF/C that is part of a rebuilding effort in Cleveland. That’s why it’s no surprise that Bob Finnan of The News-Herald is reporting that multiple sources believe Varejao will be traded at some point this upcoming season.
It’ll be interesting to see if any franchises are willing to take on the injury-prone big man at his current price.
Lakers Backup PGs
With Derek Fisher eligible to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers at any point in time, there has been a lot of speculation that the franchise will attempt to sign the 38-year-old guard.
However, the team has a logjam at PG right now, with Steve Nash starting, backed up by Chris Duhon and Steve Blake. ESPN’s Marc Stein noted that any team interested in either backup could take one, as long as they were willing to absorb the contract.
With the Lakers currently down to 16 players on their training camp roster—which will be down to a league mandated 15 within a week—there would be a spot open for Fisher if the franchise can dump a backup 1 without taking back a player.
"OFFICIAL: Lakers waive Chris Douglas-Roberts & Greg Somogyi. The roster now stands at 16. on.nba.com/SelbLe
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 22, 2012"
Don’t be surprised to see L.A. make a hard push to ditch one of these subpar, overpaid guards to sign Fisher at a veteran’s minimum.
