Channing Frye Coming To Cleveland: Trade Details
By Luke Sicari
After numerous rumors, the Cleveland Cavaliers have finally stuck a deal that will send Channing Frye to Northeast Ohio but it’ll see long-time Cavalier fan favorite Anderson Varejao go to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal.
It was clear that Cavs GM David Griffin was doing everything in his power to improve this roster and he has done just that with a three-team deal involving Portland and the Orlando Magic.
With the exact details of the deal still coming through, here is what we know so far.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News and Sam Amick of USA Today Sports were first to break the news.
Cavs are getting Channing Frye from Orlando, according to a source.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 18, 2016
Anderson Varejao will be moved by Orlando to Portland for picks and an expiring contract according to a source. Channing Frye to Cleveland.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) February 18, 2016
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
We then received word on some more specifics for the Magic, which includes Jared Cunningham leaving Cleveland.
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
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal has the details of the second-round pick that Orlando will receive.
Source: Blazers also give #Cavs a second-round pick, which Cavs are sending to Orlando.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) February 18, 2016
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin explains how this deal will help the Cavaliers in a variety of ways.
The Varejao/Cunningham-Frye deal will save the Cavs more than $10 million in salary and taxes this season, source tells ESPN
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 18, 2016
Cleveland gets tax savings and acquire a 6-11 guy with a 38.7 pct career mark from 3 in Frye, but part ways with a fan favorite in Varejao
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 18, 2016
Finally, Lloyd revealed that the Cavs got the guy they were chasing.
#Cavs always wanted Frye, didn't think they could get him. Even last night thought LAC would make better offer & they needed to move Andy $
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) February 18, 2016
One final point, both Cunninghame and Varejao are expected to be waived, per Lloyd.
So, here we are.
Varejao, a 12-year Cleveland veteran is now gone and that is obviously a sad pill to swallow for Cavalier fans. He was a much beloved figure and his appreciation for the city was well-known.
Although, this deal was simply a no brainier for the Cavaliers.
Varejao’s on-court production hasn’t been great this season, whereas Frye fits a very specific need.
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With Frye coming off the bench, it will give Cleveland a big-man who can shoot the ball from the three-point line, where he is connecting on 38.7% of his shots this season. As a result Frye will give the Cavaliers some much-needed floor spacing off the bench. Imagine how spread the floor will be with a line-up of Kyrie Irving/J.R. Smith/LeBron James/Kevin Love and Frye.
We will have more in-depth analysis of the deal tonight and in the coming days.