Cavaliers awaiting Varejao’s return

Cleveland has lost five straight and could use the help immediately.

CLEVELAND (AP) — After losing five straight games — four while LeBron James has been out with an injured finger — struggling Cleveland is relieved that Anderson Varejao’s holdout is over and that he’ll soon be back with the team.

But some players say it will be a little strange to welcome back a player who held out all season and accepted a contract with another team.

The Cavaliers matched the Charlotte Bobcats’ $17 million, three-year offer sheet for the 6-foot-10 restricted free agent Wednesday, ending a contract dispute.

The 25-year-old, mop-haired Brazilian known for his energetic defense is expected to help the Cavaliers regain their intensity on the court. A fan favorite, Varejao averaged a career-best 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds last season as the Cavaliers reached the NBA finals for the first time.

Varejao still needs to have visa issues worked out, travel from Brazil and pass a physical, making Tuesday’s home game against Indiana a likely time for his return.

“I’m happy to be back in Cleveland and grateful to the Bobcats for their offer because that helped to get this deal done,” said Varejao, who is now in Los Angeles. “I got what I wanted, so now let’s forget what happened [during the negotiations] and move on.”

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry said it was a long and difficult process for both sides.

“We’re now looking forward to getting Andy back and seeing him back on the court,” Ferry said.

Varejao said he has talked or exchanged text messages with a handful of his teammates, many of whom are looking forward to his return, yet wary of what he’ll bring at the start.

“It was none of my business; it was up to him because he has to live with it,” said Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who has spoken with Varejao throughout the process. “I just wanted to make sure his head is straight and he can be ready to play basketball.”

Ilgauskas said the Cavaliers going to the finals last season shows they have a good team.

“I would think, why wouldn’t you want to play here?” he said.

Varejao said he’s not sure how close he is to game shape, how long he’ll take to pick up the changes the Cavs have made, and even the reaction he’ll get from the fans.

“I am just going to try to put all of this behind me and not worry about what happens,” Varejao said. “I just want to focus on basketball now.”