Magic officially deal Channing Frye to Cavaliers

The Orlando Magic have officially acquired a second round pick in 2020, and the contract of Jared Cunningham from the Cleveland Cavaliers for floor stretching big man Channing Frye, the team announced Thursday evening. The deal was first reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.

Reports surface a few weeks ago that the Magic were open to moving Frye, who has, to an extent, struggled since joining the Magic prior to last season. While Frye made a positive impact for the Magic offensively, opening driving lanes for guards Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton, his shortcomings on the defensive end made him unplayable next to center Nikola Vucevic.

Tuesday night it appeared Frye was on his way to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Clippers chose to go in a different direction, acquiring Jeff Green from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Trading Frye for relatively nothing helps the Magic open up even more cap space for this summer. Without Frye's nearly $8 million on the books for next year, the Magic will have the potential to make enough cap space for two max-level free agent signings.

The lone player the Magic acquired in the deal, Cunningham, is expected to be waived by the team.