Cavs Rumors: Anderson Varejao to Sign Contract; Hasn't Played in NBA Since 2017

The Cleveland Cavaliers are signing forward Anderson Varejao to a contract, according to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reported the Cavaliers are able to sign Varejao to a 10-day contract after being a granted a hardship exemption. Per Ridenour, Larry Nance Jr. (thumb) and Matthew Dellavedova (neck) will miss the remainder of the season to comply with the exemption.

A member of the Cavs from 2004-2016, Varejao, 38, has not played in the NBA since the end of the 2016-17 season, returning to his native Brazil to join Flamengo in the country's top basketball league. He last averaged 1.3 points, 1.9 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game with the Golden State Warriors before exiting the NBA.

At 21-41, and 17 games back of the Milwaukee Bucks in the Central Division, there's not a whole lot for the Cavs to play for at this point besides pride or better draft lottery odds.

The former could use a little bit of work after Cleveland's Kevin Love caused a mini-controversy against the Toronto Raptors on Monday by lazily tapping an inbounds pass straight to his opponents out of frustration. Love would go on to apologize for the move.

Cleveland is also still in need of big men with Lamar Stevens and Isaiah Hartenstein out of the lineup.

Following Friday's matchup with the Washington Wizards, the Cavs have nine games left in the season and can significantly impact the playoff picture with contests against the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets.

How much Varejao will be used during the final stretch remains to be seen. Either way, a familiar face is returning to Cleveland once again.