Trade Scenario #1 – Cleveland Cavaliers
OUT – Tyson Chandler and a 2nd round pick
IN – Channing Frye, Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic
Why for the Cavaliers? Why not? For an Eastern Conference power, they are currently 24th in the league in offensive rebounds, 20th in defensive rebounds and 23rd in total rebounds per game. This may be a big reason why they are sluggish out of the gate (6-7). Chandler could definitely boost them and grab boards right away as their new starting center. Plus neither of the three players they would be trading are playing more than 6.5 minutes per night and they get a 2nd round pick for taking on a reasonable contract in terms of need. This deal would also send Kevin Love back to his natural power forward position, thus adding more scoring as he could just focus there again.
Why for the Suns? Frye is a good vet and locker room presence – as well as a former well-liked Sun – but also an expiring contract. He could be asked whether he “wants to be here” and if not they could just waive him and know that they would have additional cap room for this coming summer, or use him in another trade. Cedi Osman is owed roughly $8M total through 2020. The team could buy him out or send him elsewhere. Ante Zizic could be a prize in this deal. He’s only 20-years-old, was a 1st round pick and could blossom into a capable center.