Ranking the 13 Worst Cavaliers starters of the LeBron James return era

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Channing Frye, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /

Worst Starter No. 12 – Channing Frye

A part of the Cleveland Cavaliers diversifying their frontcourt rotation was adding a stretch-big to play off of Kevin Love, ensuring the Cavs could space the court for all 48 minutes. That player was Channing Frye, who had been a top-10 pick in the 2005 draft but failed to develop into a star even as he honed his outside shot.

Frye came off the bench for Cleveland in 2015-16 after arriving via trade at the Trade Deadline, and he shot 56.5 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs. He was a key rotation piece for a title-winning team…and that’s probably as far as his role needed to go.

Frye was pressed into service for 15 starts the following year, and in the starting lineup he was exposed defensively. Frye essentially did one thing – shoot. He did that very well, but he didn’t have the skillset to expand his game in a larger role. Given his defensive limitations, his best place was coming off the bench rather than starting.

The following season, Frye was moved at the deadline with another player on this list for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. as the Cavs tried to get back to the NBA Finals one last time (they would). He was one of the team’s best bench players, but nothing special as a starter.