NBA Trade Rumor: Cavs targeting Channing Frye

Add another center to the list of player the Cleveland Cavaliers are targeting ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

According to a report from the Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavs are pursuing a deal for Orlando Magic center Channing Frye. The issue, though, is that the Los Angeles Clippers are already deep in negotiations with Magic in a deal that would net them Frye and the deal could be completed tomorrow. The Clippers' deal involves guards C.J. Wilcox and Lance Stephenson and offers Orlando a chance to clear cap room ahead of next summer's cap spike.

If the Cavs were able to land Frye, it would be a coup. At his best - which he hasn't been since joining the Magic prior to last season - he's a floor spacing five who plays solid defense inside. In Cleveland, he'd be a solid backup for Tristan Thompson, would give the Cavs more shooting and (assuming Timofey Mozgov wouldn't be part of a hypothetical deal) would probably be an upgrade in some ways over Mozgov.

To land Frye, the Cavs wouldn't have to deal Mozgov either. They could simply absorb him into the trade exception created by trading Brendan Haywood and send a second round pick Orlando's way. The Cavs, though, would probably want to send some some salary (Sasha Kaun, for instance) in order to keep a roster spot open.

It seems, though, that the Clippers are going to get Frye and the Cavs will have to look elsewhere.