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2018 NBA free agency grades: Cavaliers bring back Channing Frye

By Jerran Anderson

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Channing Frye #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Channing Frye #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are bringing back veteran Channing Frye for the 2018-19 season. Here’s a look at the grade for the signing.

The post-LeBron James era continues with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the organization is bringing back veteran forward Channing Frye. Frye and the Cavaliers have come to terms on a one-year, $2.4 million deal, according to Yahoo! Sports‘ Shams Charania.

He joins the Cavaliers once again after spending 44 games with them last season and nine with the Los Angeles Lakers. Ironically, Frye was traded back in February to the Lakers. Now, he returns to The Land via the free agent market.

Frye averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds last season through 53 appearances. He shot a below-average 33.9 percent from behind the arc, but may have simply had a down year in a limited role. The veteran journeyman is approaching the end of his career at age 35 entering year 13 in the league, so it’s fitting he joins a team in the process of rebuilding.

Frye is signing for the veteran’s minimum, taking a route paved by fellow teammate Kendrick Perkins. He’ll be a solid veteran presence to have at reserve behind stretch-4 Larry Nance Jr.. Nance could learn a thing or two from Frye’s ability to shoot behind the arc.

The signing of Channing Frye will provide a solid locker room presence, but that’s not to take away from his on-court ability. Frye is shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point land in his career. He’s got four playoff appearances under his belt with the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and Cavaliers.

Nurturing the Cavaliers’ youth

It wasn’t too long ago Channing Frye was shooting 43.9 percent from 3-point land off the bench as a member of the Suns. That was back in the 2009-10 season, when Amar’e Stoudemire and Steve Nash were running things in the starting rotation.

Frye won an NBA title back in 2016 as a member of the Cavaliers, but things have changed drastically since then. Entering the 2018-19 season, there’s no LeBron James and no Kyrie Irving. Kevin Love still remains, but that may not last long if they trade him.

As for Frye, he hasn’t averaged more than 20 minutes per game since the 2014-15 season. The Cavaliers aren’t a new team on his resume, but he’s spent time with six different teams in the league since being drafted by the New York Knicks back in 2005 with the eighth overall pick.

Since then, he’s enjoyed a career as a reserve 3-point shooter who provides length and a spark off the bench. The frontcourt for the Cavaliers is young with Larry Nance Jr. and Ante Zizic listed at the other power forward positions. As the NBA continues to evolve, Frye’s ability to guard more athletic bigs on the perimeter is dwindling. He’ll be used sparingly, but his signing comes at a bargain price.

With his best seasons behind him, Frye’s impact will be felt more off the court than on it. If one of the Cavaliers’ big men get hurt, he could see his role increase, but until then his playing time will be limited. He could see reserve minutes, but given the new direction Cleveland is headed in, he may be nothing more than a roster spot to fill.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Grade: C+

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