Report says Anderson Varejao plans to reject Cavs championship ring
Anderson Varejao is eligible to receive his first NBA championship ring, but instead plans to remain loyal to the Golden State Warriors and will not accept the hardware, according to Ohio-based reporter Sam Amico.
The 6-11 big man spent 11 full seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers before being dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 18 in a three-team deal that involved the Orlando Magic, who sent Channing Frye to the Cavs.
The Blazers unloaded a second-round pick to get a first-round pick and Varejao, who was immediately released. The Warriors picked him up four days later.
Varejao became the first player to ever play for both Finals teams in the same season, all but guaranteeing him a ring.
There’s no NBA policy mandating a ring for players not on the roster by midseason; that decision would be up to the Cavaliers’ front office. But, if offered, Varejao told the Cavs he would no accept the ring out of respect for his Warriors teammates, Amico’s report said.
Varejao averaged just 8 1/2 minutes over 22 regular-season games with the Warriors and saw less floor time in the playoffs. He scored a total of seven points over the seven-game series with eight rebounds.
Luckily for Varejao, he has a great chance to win a ring next season after re-signing with the Warriors on Sunday for one year at the veteran’s minimum, a total of $1.55 million.
