The Cleveland Cavaliers have found a big man who can play in small-ball lineups and stretch the floor with good outside shooting.
The Orlando Magic reportedly sent forward Channing Frye to the Cavs on Thursday in a three-team trade also involving the Portland Trail Blazers. The deal was first reported by Sam Amick of USA Today. The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
Source confirms three-team deal with Channing Frye going to Cleveland, Varejao to Portland, picks/players to Orlando. USA Today first.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 18, 2016
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
Portland had a ton of salary cap space entering the deadline and was a top candidate to take on salary in exchange for a draft pick or two. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports the Blazers “will likely waive” Varejao, though.
Frye is averaging 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game this season, but he’s also converting 90 percent of his free throws and shooting 39.7 percent from the 3-point line.
The 32-year-old former University of Arizona star is signed through 2017-18 with an annual salary of a little more than $7 million per season, per Hoops Hype.
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Thumbnail photo via Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images