NBA Trade Rumors: Anderson Varejao Could Strengthen New York Knicks Frontcourt
ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports that the New York Knicks’ Plan B is to either obtain Andre Iguodala from the Philadelphia 76ers for Eddy Curry’s expiring contract and one other player or acquire Daniel Gibson and Anderson Varejao from the Cleveland Cavaliers if they can't get carmelo Anthony this season.
If the Knicks can trade for Iguodala, he could take over from solid rookie Landry Fields at shooting guard, as having one more player that can create his shot off the dribble is always a good thing. Imagine if they had had the Arizona Wildcat product for that disastrous second half against Miami Heat last week where they were outscored 56-34, which led to a loss.
If the Knicks can’t get Iguodala, obtaining Anderson Varejao is not a terrible backup idea. It will allow Amar'e Stoudemire to play his preferred position at power forward, and Varejao will not clog the paint like Shaquille O’Neal did when they both played for the Phoenix Suns.
Varejao is a high energy player often compared to Joakim Noah. He is a good help defender and a great rebounder, something the Knicks need help with as they are 19th in rebounds per game and 24th in rebounds allowed. The 6’11” Brazilian center will also bring toughness to the Knicks frontcourt. Just ask Amar'e about the last time they played the Cavs.
"On a drive in the third quarter, Varejao cracked me across the neck," Stoudemire said. "I had a stinger and couldn't feel down my left arm for a while. It's still pretty sore. It's something that will go away. We'll try to massage it out."
Not that Varejao will be encouraged to injure opposing players, but in a game that was “lost defensively” according to Mike D'Antoni, a little roughness might have been the difference.
In the same Miami Heat game, it was obvious that Chris Bosh was unstoppable posting up or going to the hoop. The Knicks need another big man that could guard players like Bosh and protect Amar'e from foul trouble.
Ronny Turiaf, who has previously started but has fallen out of the rotation, only logged six minutes a game in the two recent losses against Eastern heavyweights Boston and Miami. Timofey Mozgov is long in height at 7’1” but short on experience.
New York is rejuvenated right now coming off an eight-game winning streak. The Knicks are second in the NBA in points scored. Spike Lee is in his element, as if Ewing was back in the garden toying with Reggie Miller and the Pacers.
As a measuring stick, the Knicks came within a second or so of beating Celtics, but a potential game-winning three-point shot by Stoudemire was disallowed as time expired in one of the most exciting games of the young season.
"We definitely earned our respect," Stoudemire said. "I guarantee you right now Boston respects us. We're no slouch. We're ready to play every night. Boston knows it."
If they can be patient enough to wait for Anthony in free agency and trade for Varejao this season, they will then be able to keep fan favourite Danilo Gallinari.
The only downer is that Varejao has been averaging 9.6 points, 9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per while nursing a rib injury.
