Free Agent Targets: Anderson Varejao
Jun 5, 2009 Anderson Varejao, Free Agent Targets: 2009
Previous Free Agent Targets:
Way back when Rod Thorn gave his state of the team address, he called this upcoming free agent class average at best. While he was unable to talk about any specific player (due to NBA rules), you just got the feeling that the Nets wouldn’t be too active in free agency. With that being said, there are a couple guys I want the Nets to take a look at. Today we will look at Anderson Varejao. Now Varejao isn’t officially a free agent yet, but he has let anyone who will listen to him know that he plans on opting out.
(For some reason, this picture just makes me laugh – I think it is because it reminds me of this). Anderson Varejao is the type of player that you hate when he plays against you, but when he is on your team, you love him. Anderson Varejao gets a bad rap from everyone except the Cleveland media. I don’t know how valid these complaints are, Anderson Varejao’s job is to be a disrupter, and he does that job very well. Varejao (along with his bouncing hair) is all over the court, grabbing rebounds, swiping at basketballs, and taking charges (or flopping). He frustrates everyone he plays against.
For an example of his ability to frustrate player, just look at some of the reactions he got from Dwight Howard (picked up like 3 or 4 Ts during the conference finals. Most were with Varejao somehow involved) and Zaza Pachulia (in the first round).
Pros For Signing Anderson Varejao
Despite Varejao’s poor performance in the conference finals (the main problem was that Anderson didn’t really have a match-up during the series. He was forced covering Rashard Lewis for most of the series), Anderson Varejao would be a huge asset for the New Jersey Nets. He would give the Nets an energy and a toughness that they don’t really have in their backcourt currently. Lets look at his numbers compared to our PFs:
Much like Brandon Bass, Anderson Varejao does things on the court that the two PFs on our roster aren’t able to. He likes to mix it up inside, and he winds up with a lot of rebounds. Varejao isn’t a shooter (he doesn’t shoot too frequently, but when he does he misses a lot), but that wouldn’t be his job on the Nets roster. Here is a look at his shot chart
Many teams would hesitate to sign Anderson Varejao because of his lack of shooting ability and because of the lack of his minutes played (Despite being a starter, Varejao’s minutes are low due the amount of fouls that are drawn on him. This is because of his playing style).
The Nets shouldn’t be worried about this because they have two PFs on their roster that could compliment, and again like Brandon Bass, if signed, he will be splitting time with Yi and Ryan Anderson. So foul trouble/not being able to stay on the court shouldn’t be an issue.
Cons For Signing Anderson Varejao
The biggest reason for not signing Anderson Varejao is the money that it would cost. Varejao is opting out of a contract that was set to make him a little over 6 million dollars (For a comparision, Brandon Bass made under 1 million last year and will probably be signed for something less than the MLE this year). This means there is no question that he would be expecting more in his next contract if he does in fact opt out. I don’t think Rod Thorn (or many Nets’ fans for that matter) would be willing to pay around 7 million for a guy who would basically become a platoon player playing around 25-30 minutes per game.
Another factor would be Varejao’s greed. Many stories out of Cleveland has proven that he is in fact a Greedy Gus. Two years ago, when he was unhappy with his deal Varejao sat out the early part of the season. Also the fact that he is opting out of his contract shows his greed. The thing is, if he would be only getting 20 minutes a game here in New Jersey would he cause problems? Or would he be happy with the money, not really caring about his playing time? You don’t really know, but his past greedy actions has you leaning in a direction.
Another thing that should have the Nets worried about Anderson Varejao is his flopping. Say what you will about flopping, but Anderson is great at it. When he successfully flops on someone, he both gets a foul called on them and gets them frustrated. In my opinion flopping is part of the game. However, there are many people out there who strongly disagree with me. In fact, there are even rumors that there will be talks about implementing rules that would punish floppers (rumors include everything from calling a foul on the flopper to calling a T on the flopper). If this does in fact happen a big part of Varejao’s game will be taken away, and he would definitly not be worth the money he is trying to get.
The Final Word
Would I be mad if the Nets shelled out 7 to 8 million dollars to sign Anderson Varejao? Not really, because he would be a valuble asset to the team. He would give them both rebounding and toughness, and in my opinion he would be great playing alongside with Brook Lopez. With this being said, I do think that there are cheaper options though. Brandon Bass does much of the same stuff that Varejao does but at a much lower price-tag. Like I said, the signing of Anderson Varejao would make me happy.
The Board
I am going to be doing a lot of these FATs in the future and as I profile a Free Agent, he will be added to the Board. The Board is how I rank the Free Agents that I would want to see the Nets sign.
1. Brandon Bass
2. Anderson Varejao*
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* – Player Option this upcoming year
** – Restricted Free Agent
Free Agent Targets: Brandon Bass
May 22, 2009 Brandon Bass, Free Agent Targets: 2009, Ryan Anderson, Yi
Way back when Rod Thorn gave his state of the team address, he called this upcoming free agent class average at best. While he was unable to talk about any specific player (due to NBA rules), you just got the feeling that the Nets wouldn’t be too active in free agency. With that being said, there is one guy I want the Nets to take a serious look at. He is Brandon Bass, an Unrestricted Free Agent.
Rod Thorn has been on record saying he wants a “moose.’ It is my opinion that if you poll coaches in the NBA, and ask them who is a “moose,” Bass’ name will come up a number a times. Brandon Bass is a very physical player who just seems to love contact. Bass is very imposing at 6′8″ and 250 pounds. He is not all size though, he mixes his size with great athletic ability. Casual NBA fans may recognize Bass from his numerous highlight reel blocks or dunks.
Looking at Brandon’s numbers, they don’t really jump out at you, but when you think about the minutes he gets and you look at the fact that he is still a young guy (next year will be his 5th in the NBA), one may think he is on the verge of breaking out. Here are his numbers compared to all of our 4s:
Like I said, nothing too spectacular. So why sign him? Well, for one, he will come cheap. The contract that he signed in July of 2007 (the one that just expired) was worth $1.59 million…total. This year he made under a million ($826,269). Now he will obviously want more than that, but he will still come cheap compared to guys like Carlos Boozer for example. Everything Brandon Bass excels in is what the 4s we have on the roster right now don’t. He is a physical rebounder who plays defense and enjoys playing down low. Yi and Ryan Anderson are the exact opposite of that. Also, if Brandon Bass is added to the roster, Josh Boone won’t have to play at the 4 anymore (Late in the year when Yi started losing time Boome was splitting time with Anderson at the 4). Coach Frank can move him back to where he is comfortable, and that is the center position backing up Brook.
Despite all my praise, Brandon Bass is far from being the perfect player. He possesses some weaknesses that may prevent some teams from giving him a big deal. He doesn’t really pose a scoring threat from outside 10 feet. He can’t really shoot a lick from outside the paint as his hot shot chart shows:
Bass also fouls a little too much for my liking. Now they aren’t bone-headed fouls or anything like that, mostly he picks up fouls because he is trying to block everything. Also teams may be hesitant to give him a big contract because he has never played more than 19.7 minutes per game in a year.
I said some teams will shy away from signing Bass, but will the Nets be one of those teams? Well they shouldn’t be. Much like how Bass’ strengths equal our 4s weaknesses, Bass’ weaknesses are our 4s strengths. Ryan Anderson and Yi are shooters, guys who like to play on the perimeter. Worried about Bass’ minutes? Well you shouldn’t be, because if Bass is signed, I would like to see him and Ryan Anderson/Yi split time. So Bass won’t be playing minutes that he isn’t already used to.
Having an inside PF in Bass and an outside PF in Ryan Anderson means we would be able to play multiple styles and match up to teams styles. Look at this situation for example. We play Orlando, Ryan Anderson will probably see more minutes because they play small (starting Rashard Lewis at the 4). The next night we are playing Cleveland, and Brandon Bass would get more time. This is because the Cavs play a more traditional roster with Anderson Verajo starting at the 4.
Brandon Bass is an option we should explore to see if we can get him cheap. So how will we know if the Nets are thinking about this? Just take a look at who we draft. If we draft a guy like DeMar DeRozen or Earl Clark when there are some PFs on the board, the Nets may be thinking about killing two birds with one stone. Drafting a SF and signing a PF in free agency.
Here are some highlight clips of Brandon Bass so you guys can get a little more familiar with him: