Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye (Photo : Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport)
Two teams that were in the headlines for the wrong reasons in the offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns, may find a solution with the Orlando Magic.
While the Markieff Morris situation in Phoenix seems to have settled down at least for now, the Tristan Thompson deadlock has gotten ugly.
According to Brian Windhorst in The Lowe Post podcast, the standoff could "last for months."
He took note of the parallels between Thompson's holdout and Anderson Varejao's hardline stance in his negotiations with the Cavs. Eventually, they did work out a deal but it was already in the middle of the season.
Thompson is holding out because he feels that the Cavs will eventually realize that they need him for the championship run. The Cavs may start out slow from the gate without Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert while Kevin Love is probably not at full strength.
That may not be enough to force the Cavs to push the panic button, and if there's already bad blood between the team and Thompson, another team in the West who build good relations with agent Rich Paul could seize an opportunity.
Phoenix signed Eric Bledsoe after an offseason standoff but it seems like "all's well that ends well" between them. A sign-and -trade agreement with the Cavs might be in the offing. But the Cavs might want someone outside the Suns roster-Channing Frye, a stretch four with outside shooting similar to Kevin Love.
Orlando Pinstriped Post proposed this deal.
"Veteran Channing Frye (a much better shooter and true back up to Kevin Love) and Shabazz Napier ( the PG that Lebron wanted to bring on in Miami to develop and be a more reliable back up then Deli) to Cleveland."
The Cavs then send Tristan Thompson to the Suns, who would offer the three-year modified deal he was asking for, as well as a 2016 Second round pick from Chicago.
Orlando will get Markieff Morris and take him off the Suns' hands so he can be a back up for Scott Skiles. Also, the Magic will receive the Suns 2016 first round pick from Cleveland that's top-10 protected (highly unlikely the Suns fall that low).
This is still a fan proposal and a very long shot, but it makes sense on the surface. That's how most deals are initially. Orlando would be an opportunist, and the Cavs and Suns could unload their "prodigal sons."
