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Cleveland Cavaliers: Is Channing Frye expendable or valuable?

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 11: Channing Frye #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during practice and media availability as part of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 11, 2017 at Warriors Practice Facility in Oakland, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 11: Channing Frye #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during practice and media availability as part of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 11, 2017 at Warriors Practice Facility in Oakland, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Channing Frye is on the bubble for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and if he is expendable or not is a question that must be answered.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a couple noticeable holes in their championship-caliber team. One of them is depth at point guard, and another is a high-quality bench rebounder and rim protector.

One thing that the team does not have a lack of is shooting. The Cavs are flush with shooters from point guard to center. Channing Frye is excellent at one thing — shooting. He’s not a great rebounder, and he’s not a great defender.

Is shooting enough to keep him in the safe zone? It could be, but for his over $8 million salary, I would argue against it. Frye was just one of seven Cavaliers to hit at least one three per game last season, but he wasn’t part of the four player group that hit two threes per game.

That said, Frye’s inability to rebound, grabbing just 11.4% of all total rebounds, does not boast well for him. Both his block and steal percentage rate is under 3%. This is just unacceptable for a player that is 6’11”. Defensively, Frye must step up.

Back before the trade deadline in February of 2016, Frye was acquired as part of a three team trade. Since then, he has excelled in his role for the Cavaliers, but the acquisition of Jae Crowder might solidify the Cavaliers small-ball lineup. With Crowder, who actually averaged 2.2 threes per game last season, the Cavaliers could easily supplement Frye’s lost production if they wanted to trade him because of his stout contract.

There isn’t a great need for Frye on the roster. This upcoming free agency might see Frye staying in Cleveland on a much small contract. In my opinion, Frye is expendable. The Cavaliers, with the team they have put together, do not need Frye, but there are only a small amount of teams that would take and need Frye.

Frye and Shumpert are two players that could be combined to acquire a superstar. The Cavaliers now have chips. They have a couple of pieces of high value that they could trade. A popular trade idea is one that sends DeMarcus Cousins to Cleveland and Shumpert, Frye, and the Nets pick to New Orleans.

Must Read: 3 players the Cavaliers should trade asap

This season, Frye needs to prove that he is still valuable. He must prove that he can play against the Warriors and provide quality minutes against the league’s top teams. The future is bright for the Cavaliers, but they could certainly maintain their championship pedigree without the 6’11” power forward.