NBA Trade Deadline: Biggest Winners from a Quiet Day
Cleveland Cavaliers
Under David Blatt’s watch, Kevin Love was essentially an overqualified stretch 4. The two-time All-NBA honoree has since moved into a more balanced offensive role under Tyronn Lue, but the current climate of the NBA suggests that a stretch 4 is exactly what Cleveland needs.
Per Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, the Cavaliers addressed that void and alleviated pressure from Love by dealing Anderson Varejao for Channing Frye.
Frye may not be a star, but he’s a sharpshooting big man who’s as efficient and productive from beyond the arc as any player in the NBA.
Frye is unlikely to see an overwhelming number of minutes. If LeBron James‘ tenure with the Miami Heat proved anything, however, it’s that a timely 3-point field goal can change everything in a close and competitive postseason contest.
The likes of Ray Allen, Shane Battier, James Jones, and Mike Miller stepped up with those shots for James’ Heat teams, and Frye could be the type of player to do so for Cleveland.
Frye has made at least 150 3-point field goals in three of his past five completed seasons. He made 136 in 75 games during the 2014-15 season, and thus far in 2015-16, he’s averaging 1.1 3-point field goal made per game on 39.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Frye can shoot the lights out and James knows exactly how to put shooters to use. The financials are concerning, but for a team in desperate need of a championship, this is a potentially great move.
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