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Phoenix Suns Welcome Anthony Tolliver

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 30, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Charlotte Bobcats power forward Anthony Tolliver (43) is introduced prior to a game against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 83-80. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Charlotte Bobcats power forward Anthony Tolliver (43) is introduced prior to a game against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 83-80. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Channing Frye may be gone, but that doesn’t mean the Phoenix Suns won’t have options of replacing him as a stretch-4 next season.

As originally reported by Shams Charania of RealGM, the Suns have agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with stretch-4 Anthony Tolliver. Only $400,000 is guaranteed in the second year of his contract.

Last season with the Charlotte Bobcats, Tolliver quietly had a good year alternating between the two forward positions and averaged 6.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game. He shot 42 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range on 3.9 attempts per game.

Tolliver has played for six teams in his six-year NBA career and holds career averages of 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. He’s only a career 35 percent shooter from three-point territory, but he’s shot above 40 percent from downtown in two seasons since 2010-11. Tolliver isn’t a flashy signing by any means, but at 6’8″, he can spread the floor with his perimeter touch and he’s a decent passer and rebounder as well.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers also pursued Tolliver.

Expecting Tolliver alone to fill the void left from Channing Frye’s departure isn’t practical, but he can at least soften the blow as a valuable role player with veteran experience. The Suns will be expecting big things this year from Markieff Morris, but as long as Tolliver is able to come into the games, spread the floor and knock down a couple of threes, Phoenix will rebound from the absence of Frye just fine.

The addition of Tolliver hurts the chances of Shavlik Randolph and rookie Alec Brown making the final roster. Randolph played 14 games for the Suns last season, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in six minutes per game while Brown, the No. 50 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, is a seven-footer who can spread the floor with a perimeter jump shot.

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