What To Expect From Channing Frye Moving Forward

Channing Fry played a big role for the Cleveland Cavaliers after being acquired at the trade deadline. What should we expect from him moving forward?

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired veteran sharpshooter Channing Frye during the 2016 trade deadline in a three-team deal that sent Anderson Varejao and a conventional first round pick to the Portland Trial Blazers, and Jared Cunningham to the Orlando Magic, according to then-Yahoo! Sports Marc Spears.

When the trade was announced, it was tough for Cavaliers fans to digest that Varejao, who played his entire career in Cleveland and became a fan-favorite due to his hustle and tenacity on the boards, would no longer be suiting up with the Cavaliers. However, it was clear his best days were behind him, and the Cavaliers had a chance to receive a stretch four to come off the bench behind Kevin Love.

Frye, 33, had previously played for four teams during his 10-year career, including the New York Knicks, Portland Trial Blazers, Phoenix Suns, and Orlando Magic. During his time with these ball clubs, Frye gradually improved his three-point percentage while averaging 9.2 points per game.

In 26 regular season games with the Cavaliers, Frye averaged 7.5 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting from the field and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc. This was a step up from Varejao, who had averaged 2.6 points per game in his 31 games with the Cavaliers last season.

Frye’s role during the playoffs fluctuated, as he was asked to do more against different teams. For example, his role in the first round against the Detroit Pistons was limited, as he averaged 9.7 minutes per game in the three games he played. In the next round against the Atlanta Hawks he played a much bigger role, averaging 13.8 points per game, including a 27-point outburst in game three, while playing 19.8 minutes per game.

During the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Frye had a very limited role, playing in four games and scoring only two points. This was not a knock on Frye, the Cavaliers had to match up against the Warriors small-ball lineup by placing Richard Jefferson in a more prominent role.

Frye was the epitome of “being a star in your own role,” something the Cavaliers put emphasis on throughout the playoffs. Although his minutes were not consistent, he provided an impact when head coach Tyronn Lue called his number.

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This offseason, the Cavaliers brought in another veteran shooter in Mike Dunleavy, who could pair well with Frye off the Cavaliers bench. The two will be able to space the floor while letting ball handlers such as LeBron James and Kyrie Irving create space.

The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract with former Cavaliers center Timofey Mogov. Although Mozgov inevitably fell out of the Cavaliers rotation, he was sharing minutes with Frye. Now that Mozgov is no longer a part of the equation, Frye will be the Cavaliers second-unit’s focal point in the front court, playing alongside both Love and Tristan Thompson.

Coming off the Cavaliers bench moving forward, Frye will provide the necessary floor spacing to optimize the Cavaliers offense, which relies heavily on the three-pointer. During the regular season, the Cavaliers ranked third in three-point attempts per game with 29.6. So with Frye entering his second season with the Cavaliers, the team will look to launch from deep early and often.

Next: When Will the Cavaliers Bring Back J.R. Smith?

Channing Frye’s role with the Cavaliers in his second season may look slightly different with Mike Dunlevy joining the team and Timogey Mozgov signing with the Lakers, but he will continue to provide floor spacing and knock down the deep ball.