Umm...so why would the Kings sink $60 million into this guy again? He also doesn't score and he isn't a particularly good passer. No thanks.
Um..?
Actually he is precisely a scorer, or potentially one. A rare bonafide 6'11" physical post player. And his ball skills are actually what made me start paying attention -- last time he was healthy he was flashing things that reminded me of a certain PF we used to have -- good hands too. But only flashes of course. Ditto rebounding/shotblocking. Last healthy season he had made major strides in those areas and looked to be ready to be decent, if not spectacular. But then he got hurt, has stayed hurt, and so who knows at this point. In any case, Denver didn't drop $10mil on him because they thought he looked good. It was because there was a market and competition (although I have to believe more at $8mil than $10) because the guy looked like a future starter/interior scorer.
In any case that contract is the thing now. When he was still on his rookie deal, teams would have killed to land a 6'11" big man who likes to work inside on offense. Now at $10 mil that is a heck of risk.
As an aside -- Varejao reminds me a bit of Pollard. Will never be a star or top starter, but a high energy bencher. Darko is confusing. Has all the size, blocks shots, and has the potential. But if somebody drops $10mil on him you are again on shaky ground until he shows more. Nonetheless I'd take all three guys in a heartbeat over our current frontcourt trio -- at least it would be fun watching to see if they developed.