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5 most important deadline trades in Cleveland Cavaliers franchise history

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 29: Kevin Love #0 and Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after the two connected on a pass during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Pacers defeated the Cavaliers 113-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 29: Kevin Love #0 and Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after the two connected on a pass during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Pacers defeated the Cavaliers 113-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Jan. 12, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center (17) Anderson Varejao reaches for a rebound as Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (left) and center Channing Frye (right) look on at the US Airways Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan. 12, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center (17) Anderson Varejao reaches for a rebound as Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (left) and center Channing Frye (right) look on at the US Airways Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 NBA Trade Deadline

Technically this specific trade is two separate trades, but we’re going to incorporate them together for space and timing. While it may not seem like a huge trade, this 2016 NBA Trade Deadline move gave the Cavaliers the last piece they needed to win their first NBA Championship ever.

This was the final part of a set of trades that started in 2015 when the Cavaliers wanted to add more three-point shooting and a strong low-post defender to the Cavs, which they did. In 2015, the Cavs landed JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Timofy Mozgov in two separate deals, and then in 2016, they landed their second-stretch big in Channing Frye, giving the Cavs some spacing on the second unit when Kevin Love was off the court.

While Frye didn’t do much in the 2016 NBA Finals, he averaged 11.4 points in the Eastern Conference Semis and Eastern Conference Finals. His play against Atlanta and Toronto was integral and impressive. He was the 6th and 7th most-used player in both of those series and gave the Cavs so much hustle and effort and scoring potential.

It’s not a huge move on its own, but when you’re putting together a puzzle on the fly, Frye was exactly the player they needed to put them over the top.

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