Cavs players don’t hate Anderson Varejao for signing with team that will beat them in NBA Finals
By Josh Hill
Anderson Varejao signed with the Golden State Warriors, but his ex-teammates in Cleveland don’t think he’s a turncoat.
When the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Anderson Varejao to make room to acquire Channing Frye, the last place they thought he’d end up was with Golden State. They had to have considered that possibility at least remotely, but no one instantly linked Varejao with the Dubs.
Regardless, that’s where Varejao has ended up and his former teammates aren’t as mad as fans might be. It’s not like Varejao demanded a release, refused a contract and then chose to sign with the best team in professional sports.
Tristan Thompson reacted to his former teammate signing with the team that will probably beat the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals:
"“It’s a business. He wants to keep playing ball, so whatever is the best fit for him and whatever he’s looking for, you have to be happy for him. Andy was more than just a teammate, he was a friend, a big brother, and so wherever he can go to keep playing, I’m happy for him, even with him being with the Warriors.”"
Let’s chill with the phony outrage over Varejao signing with the Warriors — not that there’s even a ton of that floating around. Who the hell wouldn’t sign with the Warriors if they had the chance to? If Steve Kerr offered me a million dollar contract to sit on the bench and never play with the end result being an NBA title, I’m on board like yesterday.
Varejao didn’t leave Cleveland, he was annexed in a trade. No one has been more loyal to Cleveland tan Varejao and now he’s going to win a title by beating them — which is so Cleveland.