Cleveland Cavs Will Need to Decide Between Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson
Contrary to what this offseason suggested, the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot get everything they want.
With minutes and money both at a premium in a frontcourt already featuring the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Love, the Cavs will have some tough calls to make when it comes to their complementary interior core.
Both Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson are slated to hit free agency next summer, unrestricted for the former and restricted for the latter. If James and Love decline their player options for 2015-16, "the Cavaliers could be facing a salary-cap nightmare," as The News-Herald's Bob Finnan put it.
With Kyrie Irving's five-year max deal already on the books and copious amounts of cash awaiting both James and Love, it wouldn't be prudent—perhaps not even possible—to make substantial investments in a pair of supportive bigs. Something has to give, or in this case, someone likely has to go.
From the outside looking in, Varejao's spot seems safe at the moment. Not only was he recently named Cleveland's opening-night starting center by head coach David Blatt, per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin, but Varejao has also found himself on the favorable side of the rumor mill.
League sources told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski that Varejao and the Cavs "are engaged in serious talks...on a contract extension." While nothing has yet been set in stone, there seems to be mutual interest in getting something done.
That interest may exist with Thompson as well, but if it does, it hasn't had the same effect on his negotiations for an extension. Talks between his representatives and the franchise have hit a snag, sources told ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst. The two sides have until Friday to bridge the gap between them, or the former No. 4 pick will be locked into the restricted market next year.
Thompson, who is represented by James' agent Rich Paul, is reportedly looking to break the bank.
"Thompson...is believed to be looking for something around the $12 million-per-season extensions the Denver Nuggets gave Kenneth Faried this month and the Utah Jazz gave Derrick Favors last October," Windhorst wrote.
Even with the league's new media-rights deal potentially sending the salary cap into orbit, an average annual salary of $12 million for Thompson would be tough to stomach. Using Faried and Favors as comparisons registers as something between optimistic and outlandish, as Thompson simply has not been the same caliber of player.
| Derrick Favors | 13.3 | 52.2 | 8.7 | 1.5 | 19.0 |
| Kenneth Faried | 13.7 | 54.5 | 8.6 | 0.9 | 19.8 |
| Tristan Thompson | 11.7 | 47.7 | 9.2 | 0.4 | 14.9 |
For the astute observers, yes, Thompson did have the highest rebounding average of the bunch last season. But if a glass-eating specialist is worth an eight-figure salary, then Reggie Evans—who has never made more than $5 million in a season despite twice leading the league in rebounding percentage—needs a new agent.
That's not to suggest that Thompson's representatives are wrong for setting the bar so high. Professional athletes have a finite earnings window, so they can and should look to collect as much possible.
That being said, the Cavs should not feel compelled to overspend in order to keep him around. He doesn't address this team's greatest weakness (rim protection), and his strengths (energy, athleticism) are not hard to find elsewhere.
Where this gets potentially problematic is that Thompson's talents should blend well with the supercharged roster now around him. With all of the defensive attention that will be given to James, Irving and Love, Thompson should find an abundance of prime scoring chances this season.
If Thompson's stat sheet improves, the value of his next deal could grow right along with it. If his rate climbs too high, it will not matter that the Cavaliers have the option to match any offer, as Cavs: The Blog's David Wood explained:
"His numbers will be inflated playing alongside the big three. If the Cavs can’t reach an extension with him before the deadline, they will be left praying that the rest of the league recognizes the LeBron Effect on Tristan’s numbers/performance and does not present him with any huge offer sheets. A large offer sheet could make a tough financial situation even tougher for the Cavs organization as it tries to re-sign two max level players during this summer.
"
That would seem to put a lot of eggs into the "Keep Varejao" basket. Add in the Brazilian's experience, intelligence, well-rounded skill set and unrelenting hustle, and it isn't hard to see why Blatt tabbed him for the opening lineup.
"Varejao is a solid fit with Cleveland's stars," wrote NBC Sports' Dan Feldman. "He's a quality team defender and good rebounder, and on the other end, he screens well and keeps the ball moving."
Varejao does a lot of different things well. He was one of only five players to average at least eight points (8.4), nine rebounds (9.7), two assists (2.2) and one steal (1.1). None of the other four players—Blake Griffin, Joakim Noah, Greg Monroe and DeMarcus Cousins—played fewer than 32.4 minutes a night. Varejao played only 27.7.
He maximizes his effectiveness by maximizing his energy level.
"If you ask him to run through six walls, he'll run through seven," James said of his former and current teammate, per Finnan. "He'll fight for every loose ball. He'll dive on the floor. He'll set screens. He'll help you out when you get knocked down."
In other words, there may have been some substance behind James calling Varejao "one of my favorite teammates" in the King's homecoming letter written for Sports Illustrated.
However, Varejao is only as good as his 32-year-old body allows him to be. And lately, he's had trouble avoiding the injury imp.
Over the past four years, he has missed more games (166) than he has played (146). In fact, he has only cleared the 60-game mark in four of his 10 NBA seasons.
Health risks are always worrisome for a big guy, and the fact he'll turn 33 before the start of next season makes the idea of an extension something of a head-scratcher.
Whether Varejao's medical concerns tilt the scales back toward the 23-year-old Thompson, who has played 224 of a possible 230 games over his first three seasons, largely depends on the salary demands for both. At a discount, those red flags around Varejao are easier to ignore. And Thompson's upside still intrigues at the right price.
Ideally, the Cavs could gamble on both Varejao staying healthy and Thompson furthering his development.
"They're both high-energy guys, and they're both a very, very key proponent and [piece] to our [puzzle]," James said, per McMenamin.
That's true for now, but Cleveland cannot afford to play both hands moving forward. The Big Three is going to be hard enough to maintain on its own, and the new broadcasting deal has at least opened up the possibility of eventually forming a Big Four.
In order for the Cavs to realize their championship potential already this season, they will need strong years out of both Varejao and Thompson.
In order to make Finals runs become annual events like they were for James' Miami Heat the past four seasons, though, the Cavs will need to sacrifice one of their high-motor post players.
Thompson could simplify that decision by pricing himself out of Cleveland's plans. Or Varejao's body could force him out of action and off of the team's long-term blueprint.
But even if the move doesn't become as obvious as that, the Cavs will still need to settle on one or the other. Even Cleveland's dream summer is incapable of changing that reality.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.
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