NBA Trade Deadline day has started with a flurry. In one of a number of late morning/early afternoon deals the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic have made a three player transaction.
Source confirms three-team deal with Channing Frye going to Cleveland, Varejao to Portland, picks/players to Orlando. USA Today first.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) February 18, 2016
Headed to Cleveland is Channing Frye, the 32-year-old 6’11” power forward/centre who was once drafted eighth overall in the 2008 draft by the New York Knicks. Playing for the Orlando Magic this season, Frye is averaging 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Frye signed a four-year, $32 million free agent deal with the Magic in the summer of 2014. He is expected to provide the Cavaliers with another good shooting big man.
Headed to the Portland Trail Blazers is Anderson Varejao. The 33-year-old, 6’11 power forward/centre has spent his entire NBA career in Cleveland, after his rights were traded to the Cavaliers, following Orlando selecting him in the second round of the 2004 draft. Varejao will provide an interior presence for Portland. He is averaging 2.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in just 10 minutes a night off Clevelands bench. Varejao has two full seasons left on his contract. There are reports that the Blazers will waive Varejao.
The Trail Blazers also receive Cleveland’s first round draft pick in the deal.
While details are still to be confirmed, it appears as though the Orlando Magic will receive Portland’s second round pick and 24-year-old shooting guard Jared Cunningham in the deal. Cunningham is averaging 2.6 points per game in just over 8 minutes a night for the Cavaliers. There are reports that the Magic will waive Cunningham.
Stay tuned to Last Word on Sports and @lastwordhoops for the latest in NBA Trade Deadline News.
Main Photo by Reinhold Matay, USA Today Sports.
