CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Cavaliers, who begin the season's unofficial second half with the best record in the Eastern Conference, is sending one of their most popular players, center Anderson Varejao, to Portland. It's part of a trade deal to acquire forward Channing Frye from the Orlando Magic.
As part of the arrangement between Orlando and Cleveland, the Magic have acquired a future second round draft pick (2020) and the contract of 24-year-old guard Jared Cunningham from the Cavs, Orlando Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan announced on Thursday.
Frye isn't much of an upgrade as he's averaged 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Magic. However, the 6-foot-11 Frye does have decent range and is shooting 40 percent on 3-pointers.
Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has some background with Frye as the two worked together in Phoenix. The 32-year-old Frye had his best seasons with the Suns, averaging career-bests of 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 2010-11.
Varejao, from Brazil, has had injury problems in recent years. He's owed $9.7 million this season and is set to make $9.3 million in 2016-17.
Griffin was willing accept any backlash in dealing Varejao in order to get the Cavs in better position to chase an NBA title after coming up short in 2015. Griffin fired coach David Blatt earlier this season despite the team's success and he's trying to find more help for James.
The 6-foot-4 Cunningham has appeared in 40 games (three starts) this season with Cleveland, averaging 2.6 points.
Information taken from the Associated Press.