Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao has decided not to exercise his $6.2 million contract option for next season. In doing so, he becomes one of the NBA’s desirable unrestricted free agents, including Hedo Turkoglu, Ben Gordon, and Ron Artest.

The hustling Varejao posted career-highs in starts (42), scoring (8.6), field-goal percentage (.536) and minutes (28.5) per game last season for the Cavs, who won 66 regular-season games but were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by Orlando.

Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry has stated his intent to re-sign Varejao and the Cavs may offer him a contract during the free-agency signing period which starts on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-11 Varejao sat out a large chunk of last season in a contract dispute with Cleveland, but has said he wants to stay with the Cavs.

Varejao, who is only 26 years old, still seems like a great fit for the Cavs. Since Shaq will only be able to put in around 20 minutes per game, the Cavs will need another versatile big-man down low. Varejao has spent his entire NBA career with the Cavs and is in his prime, so it will be interesting to see how his future unfolds.