OAKLAND, Calif. _ Anderson Varejao's time with the Warriors has come to an end. The franchise waived the veteran center on Friday, clearing a roster spot for them to sign D-League guard Briante Weber to a 10-day contract, as first reported by The Vertical.
Varejao joined Golden State late last season after he was bought out by the Cavaliers. He got spotty playing time throughout the playoffs and struggled when given rare opportunities. The fanbase began to grumble when Steve Kerr played him, most memorably when Varejao had a rough stretch in Game 7 of the Finals with Andrew Bogut out.
Varejao returned this season on a one-year minimum deal, but for weeks _ as he has again struggled in brief minutes and James Michael McAdoo has emerged as a viable NBA piece _ the clock has been ticking on Varejao's Warrior tenure and, potentially, his career.
On Friday, the franchise finally pulled the trigger on the move, cutting Varejao to help balance out a roster that was overloaded with big men. They had seven centers and a need for some backcourt help.
In an ideal world, with big men David West and Zaza Pachulia out with injuries, they may have waited a few days for one to return to the lineup before making the move. But Weber's recent hot play forced their hand.
Weber is a 24-year-old guard who was just named the D-League's player of the month in January, averaging 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and 3.6 steals. He reportedly had sitting offers from the Heat and Hornets, but chose the Warriors.
Weber adds both a jolt of depth and athleticism to Golden State's backcourt. He was only shooting 36 percent from 3 in the D-League, but is a slashing scorer, playmaker and ferocious defender with some serious hops at only 6-foot-2.
