If the NBA Finals winds up as a rematch of the 2015 edition, a longtime Cavalier will face his former Cleveland teammates.
Center Anderson Varejao agreed to join the Golden State Warriors on Sunday after clearing waivers, he confirmed to Cleveland.com. He was traded by the Cavaliers to the Trail Blazers last week, and Portland immediately waived him.
The Warriors cleared a roster spot for Varejao, 35, by waiving forward Jason Thompson, 29.
Golden State was in need of a big man with key backup center Festus Ezeli out at least another six weeks following knee surgery.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks all had interest in Varejao, according to ESPN.
The Cavaliers acquired forward Channing Frye from the Orlando Magic and sent Varejao to the Trail Blazers as part of a three-team trade at Thursday’s trade deadline.
After the deal was completed, the Blazers put Varejao on waivers. He is owed $9.7 million this year, $9.3 million in 2016-17 and $4.5 million from his partially guaranteed deal in 2017-18. Varejao has a 5 percent trade kicker that will be worth an extra $626,825. The Cavaliers saved more than $10 million in payroll and taxes this season by trading Varejao.
The Warriors will be responsible for playing Varejao the veterans’ minimum salary for the remainder of the season.
The 6-foot-11, 273-pound Varejao has played only for the Cavaliers in his 12 NBA seasons, including 31 games this season, during which he averaged 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds. For his career, he is averaging 7.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in 591 games since joining the league in 2004-05.
Thompson played 28 games and made one start for Golden State this season. He averaged 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Sacramento Kings, where he produced a career-best 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in 2009-10.