NBA Trade Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trailblazers, Orlando Magic trade Update Involving Anderson Varejao, Channing Frye

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Feb 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao (17) rebounds beside Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.  David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been open in their desire to get rid of stars who fails to fit the long-term plan of taking the NBA Finals trophy from the Golden State Warriors. Throughout the season, NBA trade rumors have hounded the LeBron James team with the likes of Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert and JR Smith speculated to be moved. However, only one widely reported rumor proved to be true when the NBA trade deadline dropped last week.

Reports disclosed that the Kyrie Irving squad traded Anderson Varejao to the Portland Trailblazers on Thursday in exchange for Channing Frye. He was then waived by the Damian Lillard squad despite the $4 million guaranteed money still owed him by the LeBron squad. The trade was a three-way deal which also included the Orlando Magic in the negotiation.

Prior to this confirmation, the Cleveland Cavaliers had been rumored to be interested in getting rid of Varejao due to his injuries and inability to mesh with Irving and James. While the NBA team remained mum on the issue, their latest move proved the rumors to be correct. With the addition of Frye in the roster, however, sports experts believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers will get a better shot at winning more games.

However, it looks like the LeBron team won't be seeing the last of Varejao anytime soon. The rumor mill has been busy churning out stories regarding the Brazilian power forward, stating that the Golden State Warriors are aggressively vying for Varejao. If this turns out to be true, then King James and his squad might meet a familiar face in the NBA finals. That is, if both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors continue to dominate the conferences this season.

"ESPN sources say that Golden State is among the teams contemplating a run at soon-to-be free agent Anderson Varejao," revealed Marc Stein via social media. He added, "The Warriors, I'm told, are still in fact-finding mode, but are weighing the pros and cons of pursuing Varejao after he clears waivers."

Varejao will reportedly come in as a potential support for Draymond Green. With the injury of Festus Ezeli, the Golden State Warriors are looking for NBA stars who have sufficient experience and skill to back up the NBA All-Star center. Varejao, who entered the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004, appears to be a perfect fit. Steve Kerr, while careful not to mention the name of the star, hinted at the Brazilian's possible entry into the Stephen Curry team.

"I have not been notified of that but it makes perfect sense, right?" said the Golden State Warriors head coach via ESPN. He further shared, "I don't even know, am I allowed to even mention his name? I can get fined by the NBA. I don't even know what the rule is."

Meanwhile, former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates shared that Varejao will not find it difficult to land a new contract somewhere else.

"He'll be fine. He's a smart player," said Irving of Varejao via Cleveland.com. He added, "Veteran leadership and can bring a lot to the team. That waive factor doesn't really matter Andy and it doesn't really matter in terms of the stature and high value that I hold him at as an NBA basketball player. I played with him for five years. Obviously some injuries have stopped him over the last few years."

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