Sources: Warriors, Thunder, Spurs, Mavs eyeing Anderson Varejao

ByMarc Stein ESPN logo
Saturday, February 20, 2016

The Golden State Warriors are contemplating a run at free agent-to-be Anderson Varejao, according to league sources.



Sources told ESPN.com that the Warriors are among several teams, along with Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Dallas, currently investigating the prospect of signing Varejao, who is scheduled to clear waivers Sunday after his trade from Cleveland to Portland and subsequent release by the Trail Blazers.



The Warriors were understandably quiet at the trade deadline and would have to open a spot on their 15-man roster to sign Varejao if they decide to go ahead with recruiting him and mutual interest ensues. But the reigning champs also appear to have a need for an extra big body inside given the recent loss for at least six weeks of key backup Festus Ezeli to knee surgery.



"I have not been notified of that but it makes perfect sense, right?" Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Friday night. "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."



Discussing Varejao would not be considered tampering since he currently is not on a team.



Sources say Varejao, for his part, plans to take the weekend to clear his head before seriously thinking about his next destination. The Cavaliers are the only team Varejao has played for in his 12 NBA seasons, prompting the Brazilian to issue a warm thank you letter to Cavs fans Friday.



"For the last 12 years, I have had the honor of representing the city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers organization, and for that I will forever be grateful," Varejao wrote on Facebook.



"No matter the product on the court one thing never changed ... The unwavering support from all of you, the fans.



"Whether you were watching on TV, listening on the radio, or in the Q screaming at the top of your lungs, we felt your energy and support. Cleveland fans are simply the best.



"Home is where the heart is, and my heart will forever be in Cleveland."



Sources say the Mavericks, meanwhile, indeed have interest in Varejao even though they're already widely considered to be in pole position to sign fellow buyout recipient David Lee, who negotiated his release Friday from the Boston Celtics.



ESPN's Ethan Sherwood Strauss contributed to this report.



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