King James Gospel
Fansided

What would have happened had LeBron not come back?

By Robbie DiPaola

Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 14: Channing Frye #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James #23 on the court during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena on March 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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, OH – MARCH 14: Channing Frye #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James #23 on the court during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena on March 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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) /

The Irving, Hayward, Ariza…. and Frye trio

Other than Miami’s trio of talent, there was no other real “big 3” in the NBA yet. The league was overall very balanced and plenty of young stars were making their own name in several NBA cities.

The last of the rumored players the Cavaliers were interested in back in 2014 is a player who ended up being a fan favorite when he came to Cleveland in 2016. That player is none other than Channing Frye.

At the time Frye was one season removed from missing an entire year due to heart conditions. During the 2013-14 season, Frye made a solid comeback with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and shot 37 percent from beyond the arc.

Frye possessed a unique skill set in that he was a 6’10” forward that could shoot well from long range. As a result of his talents, Frye was much in demand and wound up singing with Orlando for $32 million over four years.

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But what would have happened if you added a veteran such a Frye to the young nucleus of the Cavaliers?

He would have provided that team with veteran leadership as he showed in his first stint with in Cleveland. While he probably would not of cracked the starting lineup, Frye would have been a great addition for the Cavaliers bench unit.

As for the rest of the team, were could only speculate what they would have looked like four years ago. An interesting aspect to look at is if the Cavaliers would have still made a deal for Kevin Love?

If we are going with the story that Cleveland signed Hayward, Ariza and Frye then Andrew Wiggins would have been playing at a crowded position. In the meantime, the power forward position was one the Cavaliers were looking to upgrade.

While many would have welcomed a trade for Love, would Kevin himself actually want to be traded to Cleveland? We all know how Love feels about the city now, but would he have felt the same in 2014? One can only guess.