According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ‘The Vertical, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to trade for the Orlando Magic’s Channing Frye. Unfortunately, however, it looks as if the Los Angeles Clippers are very close to finalizing a trade for him.
Sources: If Frye deal to Clippers goes through on Wednesday, Stephenson would never play a game for Orlando. Magic will waive him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 17, 2016
According to Wojnarowski, it seems like a ‘when they trade’ rather than an ‘if they trade’ scenario between the Magic and Clippers, as both teams are expected to finalize the talks today. When they do, the Magic are going to waive Lance Stephenson, which means that an athletic wing who can defend suddenly becomes available for the Cavs. With that being said, should the Cavs go after Stephenson if and when this goes down?
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Stephenson best season came two years ago in Indiana, where he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 0.7 steals on 49.1% shooting and 35% from downtown. After that, his production has plummeted 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 37.6% shooting from the field and 17.1% from downtown with the Hornets last year and just 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists with the Clippers this season on 49.4% from the field and 40.4% from downtown.
Stephenson has very erratic shooting performances, but he’s a very high-energy wing who can defend guards and forward while also occasionally hitting the outside shot. There are no reports about this at this time, but if Stephenson is immediately waived, do the Cavs still attempt to make a trade deadline deal for a wing if they could target Stephenson instead? He isn’t the best option, but he may come for very little.
Stay tuned for the latest as the trade deadline nears.