The Cleveland Cavaliers were mentioned in numerous trade rumors earlier in the offseason about the number one pick as well as in talks with the Sacramento Kings for Jimmer Fredette and now there is a chance they could deal Anderson Varejao after signing Andrew Bynum in the offseason.
According to Bleacher Report, Varejao may end up on the trading block after the team signed Bynum to a two-year deal this offseason and depending on his health, he could net some solid returns. Last season Varejao was limited to just 25 games after dealing with a blood clot, but until then he was averaging a staggering 14.1 points and 14.4 rebounds and if he can keep up that play he will be a valuable asset. Varejao was an All-Star the previous season after averaging 18.7 points, 11.8 boards and 1.9 blocks and he could be a prime center for another team that needs one, including the Pelicans or Knicks.
Varejao is under contract with $9.1 million this season and an option for the team next year and while the Cavs may be looking to deal the center, they may wait to see if Bynum is fully healthy first. The biggest question mark in this whole thing is Bynum and his health and after signing a two-year deal the Cavs are hoping he can return to the form he had while he was with the Lakers. Bynum signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the team after missing all of last season with the Sixers for knee issues and he comes in on a contract that has numerous incentives.
The Cavs made a number of moves in the offseason, signing Jarrett Jack and Earl Clark and the team now has Bynum a year after he was involved in the Dwight Howard deal that sent the center to Los Angeles. Bynum last played for the Lakers in 2011-12 and made the All-Star team after averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds and the Cavs are hoping for more of that style of play. Earlier in the offseason the Cavs looked like an option for Fredette, as the Kings were trying to sign Monta Ellis to a deal and they appeared close before he pulled back.
The Kings were thinking about trading Fredette with Chuck Hayes or John Salmons, but clearly that did not work out for the Cavs and Kings. Fredette show over 40 percent from three last season, but it remains to be seen if the team will move him. The Cavs are ready for the future though, as they signed first overall pick Anthony Bennett to a contract that is likely for four-years. The team loved what they saw in Bennett last season at UNLV and the Canadian native averaged 16.1 points and 8.1 rebounds as a freshman and the team sees him as a foundational player for years to come.