Report: Cavs, Varejao near extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers and center Anderson Varejao are close to agreeing on a contract extension, ESPN.com reported Thursday.

The deal would be for three years at an estimated $30 million starting with the 2015-16 season. The Brazilian native is in the final year of a six-year, $42.5 million contract. He is making $9.7 million this season.

Earlier this week, the Cavs announced that Varejao would start Thursday night’s opening game against the New York Knicks ahead of Tristan Thompson, who also could get a contract extension before Friday’s deadline for first-round picks in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The 32-year-old Varejao has spent his entire career with the Cavs and was a teammate of LeBron James before James left for Miami. Last season, Varejao played in 65 games and averaged 8.4 points and 9.7 rebounds.