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Golden State Warriors: 5 Potential Trade Targets

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) shoots over Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) during the second quarter during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) shoots over Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) during the second quarter during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
Dec 28, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) reacts to making a basket during the second quarter of a basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic are reportedly fielding offers for Channing Frye (and Tobias Harris), so if they do look to move their stretch-5, the Warriors should at least pick up the phone with this proposal in mind. The Magic are apparently looking for a player who can help right now, which may take the Dubs out of the running here, but it’s worth a try.

For one thing, Channing Frye has exactly zero reputation as a locker room cancer, so it’s safe to say that turning the rarely used Jason Thompson and a distant first rounder into Frye would be a case of the rich getting even richer.

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At age 32, Frye is no longer a starting-caliber big. He’s recently been replaced by Aaron Gordon in the starting lineup as head coach Scott Skiles searches for answers in the wake of Orlando’s 4-15 skid to start 2016. Frye is only averaging 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game this season, but he’s converting 39.7 percent of his 2.8 three-point attempts per game.

Think about it: Wouldn’t the addition of a stretch-big like Frye — who can still defend, shoot threes and also log minutes in small-ball lineups — make the Warriors even more unbelievable?

Hell, even if Steve Kerr played him as rarely as Thompson, at the very least the move would prevent another contender from adding him to their ranks, almost as a preemptive strike so other teams couldn’t make life more challenging for the Dubs come playoff time.

More hoops habit: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Landing Spots For Channing Frye

The biggest caveat would be Orlando wanting a player more useful than Thompson. The future first is nice, and they might even push for an additional second rounder or something like that, but the Magic are looking for players who can help them win now.

Thompson doesn’t quite fit that description — even if Orlando might not do much better on the open market as far as teams giving up anything other than draft picks for Frye.

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