NBA Trade Deadline 2016: Cavaliers acquire Channing Frye
The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly landed Channing Frye ahead of the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline
Orlando Magic veteran forward Channing Frye has been one of the most talked about players around the NBA leading up to the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline. There has been a lot of buzz about him potentially going to help address a need with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Clippers’ reluctance to make a deal with the Magic ultimately cost them as Frye is now reportedly heading to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade.
As first reported by the Sam Amick of USA Today Sports, Frye will be going to Cleveland from Orlando with Cavs center Anderson Varejao winding up with the Portland Trail Blazers in the trade:
Channing Frye will be sent to the Cavs from Orlando, I'm told. Anderson Varejao will wind up in Portland. More to come.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 18, 2016
As for the other pieces involved in the deal, the Magic will get at least a second-round pick from the trade:
Orlando gets a second round pick in the Channing Frye deal while Portland gets forward-center Anderson Varejao from Cavs, source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 18, 2016
There’s no word just yet as to what other pieces are involved in this trade, but it would appear on the surface that Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has pulled off a bit of a coup with this deal. Not only is acquiring a useful rotation player that can stretch the floor in Frye in exchange for Varejao, a player whose salary they were actively looking to dump leading up to the deadline.
We’ll update with developments on the deal, including what other pieces are involved.
UPDATE:
In return, the Magic will also be getting Jared Cunningham in addition to draft picks, but Cunningham is expected to be waived:
Jared Cunningham will also go to Orlando from Cleveland in that deal, I'm told, but he's expected to be waived. Magic also get a 2nd rounder
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 18, 2016
That makes this move a wise one for Orlando, especially after the Tobias Harris trade earlier in the week as they now will have a plethora of room under the salary cap to operate in 2016 free agency. In addition, it’s also being reported that the second-rounder to the Magic is from the Trail Blazers and Portland will get a conditional first-round pick from the Cavaliers:
Further details on Frye/Varejao deal per source: Cunningham from CLE to ORL; Cavs send conditional 1st to POR & 2nd Rd pick from POR to ORL
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 18, 2016
Given the inclusion of the first-round pick, albeit a conditional one, it now makes sense as to why they got involved and were willing to take on Varejao, who will likely be waived. That’s a solid acquisition for a young team trying to add assets and build going forward.