Channing Frye Traded To Cleveland Cavaliers
By Jon Shames
After days of discussions, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Channing Frye from the Orlando Magic.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, in the hunt for outside shooting, have acquired three-point specialist Channing Frye from the Orlando Magic, as first reported by USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick.
Cleveland had been engaged with Orlando in trade discussions for Frye in the days leading up to Thursday’s deadline, but dumping the contract of Anderson Varejao was seen as the biggest obstacle in acquiring the Magic’s sharpshooter.
Fortunately for the Cavs, Portland — who has the lowest amount of committed salary in the NBA — facilitated the deal and took on Varejao’s deal, set to pay him at least $19 million over the next two seasons.
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Frye is a nice pickup for the Cavaliers, who needed to address both floor spacing and depth before the deadline ended. Frye has received inconsistent minutes throughout this season, but in the one month (December) he averaged more than 21.3 minutes, he posted 6.0 points per game on 46.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
The Magic will receive a second round pick in exchange for Frye, according to Marc J. Spears. They will also acquire Jared Cunningham from the Cavaliers, per Jeff Zillgitt.
Cavs G Jared Cunningham headed to Magic in this Channing Frye-Anderson Varejao deal with Blazers, I've been told.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) February 18, 2016
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
Frye, even at 32 years old, is one of the league’s most reliable three-point shooters. The 6-foot-11 forward is knocking down just under 40 percent of his looks from deep this season, while attempting 2.8 treys per game. He is playing just 17.1 minutes per contests with the Magic.
After a promising start, Orlando has fallen to 23-29, 11th in the East. The playoffs are still within reach, but this move was made with the future in mind.
By moving C. Frye to CLE, the Magic can make procedural moves (renouncing cap holds) to have $45 million in cap space for July.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) February 18, 2016
The Trail Blazers, in the postseason hunt in the Western Conference, are 27-27, much thanks to their promising backcourt comprised of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The Blazers are a young team, and may have benefitted from having an 11-year veteran in Varejao in the locker room.
The Portland Trail Blazers will likely waive Anderson Varejao, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
But Varejao, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career — especially so in its later stages — has played in 31 games for Cleveland, averaging 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10 minutes per game. He is expected to be waived by Portland, according to Woj.
The Blazers also snagged a conditional 2018 first round pick from Cleveland, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
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
The Magic will receive a second-rounder in the deal. Portland is expected to waive guard Tim Frazier.
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Varejao has spent his entire career with the Cavaliers.