Anderson Varejao will be made available to appear in his first NBA game in four years on Wednesday, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (21-44) host the Portland Trail Blazers (36-29) at RocketMortgage Fieldhouse.
The 38-year old Varejao, who officially signed a 10-day contract to re-join the Cavs on Tuesday morning, was inactive for the team’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns later that day (Phoenix won, 134-118).
However, Fedor’s sources indicate that the Brazillian big-man will be activated on Wednesday, and could make his return to the court, should head coach J.B. Bickerstaff send him out there.
Varejao’s last NBA game came on Feb. 2, 2017, as a member of the Golden State Warriors. He competed for Brazil in the World Cup in China in 2019 and played for Brazilian club team Flamengo from 2018-2019.
“I thought he was gonna take a charge,” Bickerstaff cracked when asked about Varejao’s first shootaround on Tuesday. “I really did appreciate and respect the way that he played. He’s one of those guys that fits exactly what we’re trying to get our guys to be. He played every year until the wheels fell off. … I think that’s why there’s still that love for him here in Cleveland is because of the style that he played that you had no choice but to respect him.”
Anderson Varejao is a 13-year NBA veteran who spent 12 seasons in Cleveland, averaging 7.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in 591 regular-season games, and greatly benefited from playing alongside LeBron James. He earned the nickname “Wild Thing” for his combination of hair and hustle, and became a fan-favorite during his first Cavs tenure.
The Cavs have eight games remaining in 2020-21. They have been eliminated from playoff contention.