Reigning Eastern Conference champions Cleveland added three-point sharpshooter Channing Frye, while the Los Angeles Clippers landed forward Jeff Green in deals on Thursday at the NBA trade deadline.
Most title contenders stood firm, but the Cavaliers and Clippers tweaked their lineups in hopes of finding the correct combination to dethrone the defending champions Golden State Warriors.
Cleveland, who lost to Golden State in last year’s NBA Finals despite a superb effort from LeBron James, obtained Frye from Orlando in a three-team deal that saw Brazilian center Anderson Varejao and a first-round NBA Draft pick go to Portland for a second-round pick that was sent to the Magic along with guard Jared Cunningham.
Photo: AP
Varejao had spent his entire 12-year NBA career with Cleveland, and Cavaliers general manager David Griffin said it was difficult to send him away.
“We have a deep obligation to do whatever we can to reach our ultimate goal and we believe this was a deal that improves our team now and positions us better in the future as well,” he said.
Frye, joining his fifth team in 10 seasons, has averaged 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds on 43.5 percent shooting from the floor and is hitting 39.7 percent from three-point range.
The Clippers landed Green from Memphis, along with a first-round draft pick in exchange for forward Lance Stephenson, who moved to his third team in less than two years.
Stephenson, in the second year of a three-year deal worth US$27 million, helped Indiana to two Eastern Conference finals trips but he has struggled with Charlotte and the Clippers, averaging 8.2 points for the Hornets last season and 4.7 points in 43 games for the Clippers this season.
Green will be reunited with Clippers coach Doc Rivers, for whom he played in Boston. Green averaged 12.6 points in 98 games for the Grizzlies after being traded by Boston in January 2014.
The Atlanta Hawks obtained veteran guard Kirk Hinrich from the Chicago Bulls for a future second-round draft pick and guard Justin Holiday. The Hawks made the trade shortly after moving reserve point guard Shelvin Mack to the Utah Jazz.
The Phoenix Suns sent forward Markieff Morris to the Washington Wizards for a future first-round pick along with reserve forwards Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair. Morris has been unhappy since the Suns traded his twin brother Marcus to Detroit in the off-season.
Detroit obtained guard Marcus Thornton and Lithuanian forward Donatas Motiejunas from the Houston Rockets for backup center Joel Anthony and a 2018 first-round draft pick.
The Pistons, 27-27, are one game out of eighth place and a playoff berth.
Oklahoma City Thunder added reserve guard Randy Foye from Denver in exchange for guard D.J. Augustin and forward Steve Novak plus two-second round draft picks.
Miami cut salary costs by sending rookie frontliner Jarnell Stokes to New Orleans for a second-round draft pick and cash and dealing guard Brian Roberts to Portland for a second-round draft pick.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely