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Sidelined for much of the last two seasons, Anderson Varejao would still be a valued piece on Mike Brown's roster for 2013-14, and is signed for two more seasons.

(AP file)

Hey, Mary: How is Andy doing? -- Lance Holloway, Shelby

Hey, Lance: Anderson Varejao has been working out steadily and recently was taken off the blood thinner he was taking after developing a blood clot following surgery last winter. He'll be ready for training camp.

Hey, Mary: Does the hiring of Mike Brown mean the Cavs are more likely to keep Andy and re-sign him? -- Matthew, Cleveland

Hey, Matthew: Varejao already is signed for next season and the Cavs have a team option for 2014-15, so there's no need to re-sign him at this time. He always has been one of Brown's favorites, and he certainly would help if they are going to turn things around defensively. I have maintained all along that the team's preference was to keep him. That being said, they will look at all options to improve, so if they got an offer for Varejao that would help going forward, they'd take a serious look at it. It remains to be seen whether his recent injury troubles have caused his stock to plummet. I doubt it.

Hey, Mary: I'd love to see Memphis play the Heat in The Finals, because their styles of play are so different. What would be your choice in The Finals? -- Jeffrey McKillen, Bluffton

Hey, Jeffrey: I don't see anybody in the East beating Miami four times, so the Heat will be there. Right now, I love watching Golden State, although the Warriors might be in big trouble if Steph Curry's ankle keeps him out. Might be fun to watch the Heat trying to defend the Warriors' hot-shooting young guards, although if Miami put LeBron James on Klay Thompson and Norris Cole on Curry, that might cool them off quickly. Still, Golden State is playing with nothing to lose, which is what makes the games so great.

Hey, Mary: Has Mike Brown began to put his coaching staff together and who are they? -- Remero Mason, Lithonia, Ga.

Hey, Mary: Any updates on Mike Brown's coaching staff or any known interest in any possible coaches coming in for the upcoming season? -- Dave, Dublin

Hey, Remero and Dave: The Cavs received permission to interview Lakers developmental coach Phil Handy, the first candidate who has come to light. I would not be surprised if they were also considering Canton Charge coach Alex Jensen, the D-League coach of the year last season. It would appear that there will be at least two openings on Brown's staff, as the Cavs parted ways with Paul Pressey and Joe Prunty after Byron Scott's firing. Nate Tibbetts is a candidate for the Charlotte Bobcats' head coaching position.

Hey, Mary: Is there a chance that if the Cavs land in the fifth or sixth lottery slot that they take Trey Burke from Michigan with the thought of trading him like the Cavs did by taking Kevin Johnson even though they already had Mark Price? -- Hal Wolfe, Cincinnati

Hey, Hal: I'd say anything's possible at this point as the Cavs will use all options at their disposal to get better.

Hey, Mary: I think the Cavs should give a four-year deal to Andre Iguodala. He is 29, a good defender and a good scorer. He could groom Otto Porter. What do you think? -- Darryl Holmes, Houston

Hey, Darryl: Iguodala is a player who interests the Cavs, but I think he'll get some bigger offers from teams willing to pay him more, including Denver. I'm also not the least bit convinced the Cavs will draft Otto Porter, even though that's a popular mock-draft pick right now.

Hey, Mary: Why does management think this time will be better and different with Mike Brown? Will he treat Kyrie the same as he did LeBron, letting him get away with mistakes? -- Ric McElroy, Travelers Rest, S.C.

Hey, Ric: I think Brown has learned a lot about himself and grown as a coach, and I think he'll be good for Irving, who wants to improve as a player -- especially defensively.

Hey, Mary: Is there any chance of the Cavaliers making a major move to acquire a high-caliber player this off-season in terms of trade/free agency? How flexible are we at the moment financially? -- James Liou, Cleveland

Hey, James: I do think the Cavs will be active in the trade/free-agent market but whether they can net a "high-caliber player" remains to be seen. A trade is more likely. They're $18 million under the salary cap with a bunch of draft picks, so GM Chris Grant has assets to deal.

Hey, Mary: Should we keep Daniel Gibson even though he spends most of every season injured or on the bench? -- Shelton Wiltz, Port Arthur, Texas

Hey, Shelton: Although he was one of my favorites, I don't see Gibson back next season.

Hey, Mary: Now that Mike Brown is back as head coach, how do you think this will affect the core players? How does this change the youth movement plan? -- Wes Jacobs, Boise, Idaho

Hey, Wes: I think the Cavs have had enough of the rebuilding process and are ready to do some winning. I don't think it affects the core group but rather it affects the sort of players sought in trades and free agency. The one thing they don't want to do is overpay a free agent, but that doesn't mean they're not willing to spend money when it's warranted.